The Background to Australia's WWII Internment Tokens

Although there has been a good degree of research published on the paper notes printed by the internees at Camp Seven in Hay (NSW) during World War II, far less has been published on the background to and technical characteristics of the copper and brass tokens used by inmates across all of the internment camps of Australasia at the same time.

Introduction - Who Did Australia Imprison in Internment Camps During WWII?

With increasing concerns as the pall of WWII settled over Europe, “enemy aliens” in Australia whose loyalty was suspect were removed to Internment Camps.

Australia interned people of German, Italian, and Japanese descent who were living in Australia and were considered enemy aliens. These individuals were often civilians, including immigrants and some Australian citizens who were of enemy nationality. The government was concerned that they might have loyalty to their home countries or engage in espionage or sabotage.

A number of refugees who had fled Europe to escape the Nazi regime also found themselves interned in Australia upon arrival. This was a result of the suspicion and fear surrounding these newcomers, even though they were often trying to escape the very same enemy forces Australia was fighting.

People who were suspected of being sympathetic to ideologies or movements that were considered subversive or dangerous to the Australian war effort were also interned.

Where Were the Internment Camps Used in Australia During WWII?

It is wrong to suggest that the tokens were only used at the Hay Internment Camp, although tokens counter-stamped “H” for the Hay Camp are understood to exist.

Internment Camps were located right across Australia - the main camps were located at Cowra and Hay in NSW; Enoggera (Gaythorne) in Queensland; Tatura (Rushworth) in Victoria and Loveday in South Australia.

There were other smaller or temporary Camps (such as Long Bay in Sydney and Dhurringile in Victoria) that accommodated POWs and internees, often before they were transferred to one of the larger Camps.

The Harvey Camp in Western Australia was closed in 1942 after the discovery of hidden weapons and a finding by military authorities that camp administration was inadequate. The internees were transferred first to Parkeston near Kalgoorlie and then to Loveday.

In January 1943, some 17,000 POWs and internees were in the Camps.

Why Were Tokens Used in Australia's Internment Camps During WWII?

Base metal tokens were used in Australian and New Zealand World War II Internment Camps in place of Australian coinage principally for security reasons. They were introduced in Australia at stages across 1943, to replace paper canteen coupons. The main concern was that if internees had access to Australian coinage or currency notes, that could be used to bribe guards or facilitate illicit trade with Australian residents living close to the internment camps. There were several other reasons tokens were used instead of Australian coinage and currency notes in the internment camps of WWII:

1. Closed Economic System: Using tokens allowed the camps to establish a closed economic system that could function independently.

2. Resource Allocation: Tokens provided a means of distributing and allocating resources within the camp. This included essential items such as food, clothing, and personal supplies. By using tokens, camp administrators could ensure that these resources were distributed fairly and according to established rationing systems.

3. Control and Accountability: Tokens helped authorities keep track of the distribution of goods and services. If each internee received a certain number of tokens, theoe tokens could be used to acquire specific items or services. This system allowed for better control and accountability, reducing the potential for theft, hoarding, or black-market activities.

4. Facilitation of Economic Activity: The use of tokens also facilitated economic activity within the camps. Internees could engage in barter and trade using tokens, allowing them to obtain items they needed or wanted. This economic activity provided a degree of normalcy within the camp environment.

5. Psychological Comfort: Using tokens that resembled currency may have provided some psychological comfort to internees, making them feel more like they were participating in a functioning society, even while interned.

Who Made the Metal Tokens Used in Australia's Internment Camps During WWII?

Two Melbourne firms manufactured the tokens: Arendsen & Sons made five shillings, two shillings and one penny pieces; while KG Luke & Co produced the one shilling and three pence tokens that completed the series. Other than the pennies, which were struck in brass (with a few rare copper or bronze trial or specimen strikes), the tokens were struck in copperⁱ.

The tokens were holed in the centre, clearly distinguishing them from the circulating currency. Wreaths, ornamented with berries and gum nuts, surround the centre holes together with the inscriptions of “INTERNMENT CAMPS” on the obverse and the denomination on the reverse. The Luke tokens have finer design details than the Arendsen pieces.

Fortunately, a small number of tokens avoided the destruction of the series that followed the end of World War II, when the tokens were ordered in by the Army and melted down under supervision.

How Many Internment Tokens Were Made?

The tokens are rare, particularly in the higher denominations. “Less than a dozen” five shillings pieces were known to Myatt and Hanley in 1982ⁱⁱ.

This figure is extremely low, and is no doubt incorrect, but what is clear is that many, many more 1930 pennies appear at auction than Internment Camps five shillings pieces.

In addition, Internment Camps tokens are comparatively cheap.

The following table shows the maximum population of Internment Camps tokens in Australia.

Very little is known about the New Zealand situation, although Nik Sharplin has reported [ii] that there is documentation of a request for a total of 34,000 pieces to replace simple steel discs that were being used over the ditch.

(Does not include any tokens produced for New Zealand and includes 4 sets given to Government agencies.)

Source: Nik Sharplin, Australian WWII Internment Camp Tokens, The Australasian Coin and Banknote Magazine, March 2004, p. 45

At a rough guess, then, there are probably 2-3 times as many 1922/21 overdate threepences, and maybe 6 times as many 1930 pennies, as five shillings tokens. The one and two shilling tokens both appear to have a lower mintage than the 1923 halfpenny.

Die Types for Australia's Internment Tokens

Adding to the interest of the series, several varieties are recorded in the literature, notably off-centre holes, holes not being punched out and the “CAMPS over CAMP” recut obverse inscription on the threepence token.

Ian Todd had not not observed die varieties on the Arendsen tokens, but did catalogue a range of KG Luke varieties. These are summarised below:

Threepence Die Varieties

The three pence token, illustrated below, has a plain edge and a diameter of 15.75 mm according to both the McDonaldⁱⁱⁱand Renniks^ivguides. The wreath surrounding the centre hole is adorned with berries on the left-hand side and gum nuts on the right. There are beads around the centre hole and the outer rim.

Different dies for both the obverse and reverse are characterised by a range of design variations on the wreath including the shape of leaves, the size and number of gum nuts and the number and position of berries (which may or may not be attached to twigs). The recut obverse die inscription (“CAMPS” over “CAMP”) is clearly evident on one die type, and there may be different numbers of beads around the rim of the centre hole depending on the particular die.

Ian Todd has noted two obverse and three reverse designs, and their main distinguishing features are listed in the following tables.

Threepence Reverse Varieties

Reverse (‘THREE PENCE’) Die Type A	Reverse (‘THREE PENCE’) Die Type B	Reverse (‘THREE PENCE’) Die Type C
2 berries above 5th leaf on the left of the left-hand side of the wreath	4 berries above 5th leaf on the left of the left hand side of wreath	2 berries above 5th leaf on the left of the left hand side of wreath
2 berries above 6th leaf on the left of the left hand side of wreath	3 berries above 6th leaf on the left of the left hand side of wreath	2 berries above 6th leaf on the left of the left hand side of wreath
4 berries above 3rd leaf on the right of the left hand side of wreath	5 berries above 3rd leaf on the right of the left hand side of wreath	3 berries above 3rd leaf on the right of the left hand side of wreath
4 berries above 4th leaf on the right of the left hand side of wreath	3 berries above 4th leaf on the right of the left hand side of wreath	3 berries above 4th leaf on the right of the left hand side of wreath
Gum nuts on the right hand side of wreath: 2,2,2,3	Gum nuts on the right hand side of wreath: 3,3,3,3	Gum nuts on the right hand side of wreath: 2,2,2,3

Known Combinations of Threepence Obverse and Reverse Dies

Ian Todd has noted the above die types in the following combinations: 1A; 1B; 2C.

Shilling Die Varieties – Identifying Features

The shilling tokens are made in copper, have a plain edge and a diameter of 18.75 mm according to the McDonald guide^vand 18.79 mm in Renniks^vi. As can be seen from the illustration below, their design follows that of the threepence pieces. They also show the same sort of die variations.

The main distinguishing features of the two obverse, and three reverse, die types observed are catalogued below.

Shilling Reverse Varieties

Reverse (‘ONE SHILLING’) Die Type A	Reverse (‘ONE SHILLING’’) Die Type B	Reverse (‘ONE SHILLING’’) Die Type C
1 berry above 2nd leaf on left of the left hand side of wreath	No berries above 2nd leaf on left of the left hand side of wreath	No berries above 2nd leaf on left of the left hand side of wreath
1 berry above 6th leaf on the left of the left hand side of wreath	3 berries above 6th leaf on the left of the left hand side of wreath	2 berries above 6th leaf on the left of the left hand side of wreath
3 berries above 4th leaf on the right of the left hand side wreath	3 berries above 4th leaf on the right of the left hand side wreath	4 berries above 4th leaf on the right of the left hand side wreath
Gum nuts on the right hand side of wreath: 3,2,3,3	Gum nuts on the right hand side of wreath: 3,3,3,3	Gum nuts on the right hand side of wreath: 3,3,3,3
3 leaves on top of the right hand side of wreath	2 leaves on top of the right hand side of wreath	3 leaves on top of the right hand side of wreath
45 beads around the rim of the centre hole	38 beads around the rim of the centre hole	41 beads around the rim of the centre hole

Known Combinations - Obverse and Reverse Shilling Dies

Ian Todd as noted the above die types in the following combinations: 1A; 1C; 2B.

Dies at the Royal Australian Mint

Some time ago the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) was kind enough to allow Ian to view the 14 Internment Camps token dies held in its Museum collection. The dies were:

• One Penny

  • 3 x obverse

  • 2 x reverse

• Three Pence

  • 1 x obverse

  • 1 x reverse

• One Shilling

  • 1 x obverse

  • 1 x reverse

• Two Shillings

  • 1 x obverse

  • 2 x reverse

• Five Shillings

  • 1 x obverse

  • 1 x reverse

On the basis of Ian 's observation that there are at least two obverse and three reverse dies for the threepence and shilling, it seems that the Mint does not hold all the dies that were used for production of the Internment Camps tokens.

For example, the three pence obverse die in the RAM’s Museum collection is not the re-cut “CAMPS/ CAMP” type.

Special Note: 

Much of the above information first appeared as an article in the Australasian Coin & Banknote Magazine, and was written by Mr Ian Todd. Ian's numismatic interests varied over time, the common thread between each area that he has been active in has been rich history and collector appeal.

I hope you'll agree that we are indeed fortunate that Ian has given permission for it to be published online here. I will be pleased to pass on any enquiries or additional information regarding any of the points raised.