Description
What it is
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This is not an official circulating coin, but a token (exonumia) used inside Australian WWII internment / prisoner-of-war camps.
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The tokens were introduced (various denominations) around 1941-1943 by the Australian Military Board / Department of Army for use in internment camps.
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They replaced earlier paper or coupon systems, for things like canteen purchases by internees.
Physical description and variants
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The “One Shilling Internment Camp” token typically has a design with a wreath (eucalyptus + olive branches) around a centre hole. On one side (obverse) it says “INTERNMENT CAMPS” (often around the hole), on the other side (reverse) “ONE SHILLING” also around the central hole.
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The metal is bronze.
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Diameter ~ 18.8-19 mm; weight ~2.25-2.38 g for similar tokens.
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Mint / maker: The 1 shilling (and 3 pence) tokens were made by K.G. Luke (Luke, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia).
Historical / Usage context
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These tokens were used in internment camps, for security reasons. The idea was that standard Australian coinage or notes could be used by internees to bribe guards or be smuggled / traded outside — so a closed‐system currency (tokens valid only inside camps) was adopted.
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Camp names known to have used them include Hay, Loveday, etc.
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After the war, many tokens were redeemed for official Australian legal tender or melted down.
