After being attacked by the Japanese, Hawaii was severely crippled and vulnerable to repeated attacks. In the event Japan was successful and did invade the islands Japan would have been able to confiscate a tremendous amount of currency that could later be used against us. To protect ourselves in the possibility this may happen, in 1942 the United States had ALL currency in use in Hawaii be over-stamped with the word “Hawaii” that way if notes were to fall into enemy hands they would be instantly deemed worthless. (People on the mainland didn’t want to be holding a potentially worthless note so they exchanged any brought back pretty quickly).

Types of notes used (with brown seals and serial numbers) included 1935 $1 Silver Certificates and 1934 $5, $10, and $20 Federal Reserve Notes, over-stamped in 1942. Once over-stamped were referred to as “1942 Emergency Issue.” These notes witnessed WWII in Hawaii and later pulled from circulation, a true piece of history over the common notes of the day.

This note is a 1934 issue of a $20 Dollar Silver Certificate used to make the 1942 EMERGENCY ISSUE. (Front) Alexander Hamilton at center, Hawaii in small vertical text over-stamped on each end (Back) HAWAII Over-stamped in large block letters. Book value of this note in VFine condition is $60 but commonly sells for well above book value. ENJOY!!