The section was contacted by a Jerseyman who has been living in Germany for a number of years,concerning the coinage in circulation during the occupation. We were able to answer most of his questions.
Before the occupation, the island used its own coins mixed with the British pre decimal coins (pounds,shillings and pence). When the Germans arrived, they bought with them the Reichmark (RM) and the Reichpfennigs (RPF) and set the rate of exchange at 8 Reichmarks to the Pound, just before the war there was 10 Reichmarks to the Pound, after a few months it was set at 9.3 Reichmarks to the Pound,where it roughly stayed for the rest of the occupation.
The German authorities tried to stop Vichy French coins from being used in the island. However, by, mid 1941 with more money leaving the Island to pay for food ect then coming into Jersey, French coins started to circulate and the States decided to issue banknotes valued at 6 pence, 1 shilling, 2 shillings, 10 shillings and £1 to help alleviate the shortage.
David Le Long – Chair of Numismatics
If you are interested in all things numismatics, why not join a section meeting by emailing: numismatics@societe.je
