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Auction: 25008 - World Banknotes
Lot: 7

(x) The Camp Seven Bank, Internment Camp Hay, Australia, 2 Shillings, 1941, serial number E40417,
located in New South Wales, Internment Camp Hay held alien enemies who had fled the war and were unable to return home. The internees were transported on the HMT Dunera, departing from Liverpool on 5th July 1940 and arriving in Sydney on 7th September 1940. Approximately 2,500 internees made the journey and remained at the camp until the end of World War II. Initially, the camp housed German and Austrian Jewish refugees, but later, Italian and Japanese prisoners of war, as well as other internees, were also detained. In 1946, following the war's conclusion, the internees and POWs were either repatriated or released, with some remaining in Australia and contributing to its society.

To facilitate transactions within the camp, banknotes were created for use in the civilian canteen at Camp Seven. These notes were issued in three denominations: a green 1 Shilling note, a red 2 Shilling note, and a blue 6 Pence note. Designed by George Teltscher, an Austrian-born graphic designer, the notes contained several hidden messages. On the obverse, barbed wire formed a border with the repeated phrase, "we are here because we are here because we are here." Additionally, another barbed wire detail at the centre reads "H.M.T Dunera Liverpool to Hay." The coat of arms on the notes depicts an Australian merino ram, with the name Eppenstein, the camp leader, hidden within the fleece.

It is also believed that the serial numbers on the notes corresponded to internees' registration numbers at the camp. On the reverse, the design featured repeated images of the ram, with thoughts that the fleece contained the names of internees. Researchers continue to explore the possibility of more hidden messages within these notes, adding to their intrigue.

The Camp Hay banknotes were only in circulation for six months, from March to September 1941, before being discontinued due to concerns that they might be confused with real currency outside the camp. They were subsequently replaced by internment camp tokens. Today, these rare banknotes remain a significant piece of World War II history,
(SB553a, AU-912a), in PMG holder 53 About Uncirculated

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£2,800 to £4,200

Starting price
£2200