World War II: Currency

Soldiers overseas often brought home local currency. The Hutchings Museum houses a variety of foreign currency collected and brought to America in the Veterans Memorial Hall. This exhibit features those samples. 

Italian 50 Lire Banknote Italian 50 Lire Banknote (1926-05-19) by Banca D'ItaliaHutchings Museum Institute

Italy

When soldiers would return to the United States after serving abroad, they would bring back their unused local currency, in part as a memento. The next three bank notes are from Italy. Before Italy adopted the Euro, they used the Lire.

Italian 10 Lire Banknote Italian 10 Lire Banknote (1939) by Regno D'ItaliaHutchings Museum Institute

Italian Five Lire Banknote Italian Five Lire Banknote (circa 1939) by Regno D'ItaliaHutchings Museum Institute

British 10 Shillings Note British 10 Shillings Note (circa 1942) by British Military AuthorityHutchings Museum Institute

Great Britain

During World War II, the British Military Authority issued banknote currency for use by service personal. 

French Five Franc Banknote French Five Franc Banknote (1939) by Banque De FranceHutchings Museum Institute

France

Before the adoption of the Euro in France in 1999, the Banque de France issued francs. This is a banknote worth five francs.

Algerian Five Franc Banknote Algerian Five Franc Banknote (1941-08-04) by Banque De L'AlgerieHutchings Museum Institute

While France occupied Algeria in 1848-1964, they used the Algerian franc. In 1964, France granted Algeria their independence. Algeria then changed their currency to the Algerian dinar. This banknote is worth five francs.

Tunisian 50 Franc Tunisian 50 Franc (1939-09-26) by Banque De L'AlgerieHutchings Museum Institute

Tunisia

Tunisia is a small country in north Africa next to Algeria. Tunisian currency was previously Algerian currency with "Tunisie" printed over it. Today, their currency is issued from Tunisia. 

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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