1 cent 1942

Common. Netherlands Indies occupation currency from 1942-1945 was issued in significant quantities to facilitate commerce during the occupation period. While these notes are historically interesting and valued by collectors of World War II and Southeast Asian numismatics, they were produced in substantial numbers and remain relatively affordable and obtainable on the collector market. The Pick catalog designation (P-119b) indicates a standard issue without known scarcity factors.

This note was issued during Japan's occupation of the Netherlands Indies (Dutch East Indies) from 1942-1945 following their invasion in World War II. The bilingual Dutch-Japanese inscriptions ('DE JAPANSCHE REGEERING' / 'EEN CENT') reflect the dual administration of the territory, while the Japanese imperial seal and characters (昭和国日南東大 - referencing the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere) emphasize Japanese sovereignty. These occupation currencies are historically significant artifacts documenting the wartime reorganization of Southeast Asian territories under Japanese military control.

The front features an ornamental design centered on the issuing authority text, framed by elaborate geometric lattice work and scrollwork borders in black against a pink/rose background. The Japanese imperial mon (family crest/seal) appears in the bottom left corner, establishing Japanese governmental authority. The back adopts a minimalist approach with a cream/off-white field, emphasizing the denomination through large numerals '1' positioned in all four corners and within an ornamental central cartouche with leaf-like flourishes. This design reflects typical occupation currency aesthetics of the period, balancing functional clarity with decorative formality.

FRONT: 'DE JAPANSCHE REGEERING' (Dutch: 'The Japanese Government') / 'EEN CENT' (Dutch: 'One Cent') / Japanese inscription '昭和国日南東大' (Japanese: reference to the Greater East Asia sphere or Showa Empire period designation). BACK: Numeral '1' repeated in all four corners and central cartouche (indicating denomination in a language-neutral manner).

Intaglio engraving (fine line engraving), evidenced by the detailed geometric lattice patterns, intricate scrollwork, and sharp definition of decorative elements visible throughout both sides. The consistent line weight and precise rendering of ornamental borders are characteristic of high-quality intaglio production. This note was produced by the Japanese occupation authorities' printing operations in the Netherlands Indies.

This example is cataloged as Pick 119b, indicating it is a specific recognized variety within the 1 cent occupation notes. The 'b' designation typically denotes a particular printing or date variant. No visible serial numbers, signatures, or overprints are clearly discernible in the provided images that would indicate additional sub-varieties, though such details may be present on the actual note.