Bucks in Preparation for the US Being Invaded by Peter Rexford on Creators.com

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Bucks in Preparation for the US Being Invaded

Dial the clock back exactly 70 years right now and you'd find the U.S. a very different place. I'm not referring to obvious conveniences such as designer cars, television, jet airplanes, space travel and digital technology, the likes of which was imagined only in comic strips. The massive difference was our then state-of-war mentality, unlike any we had known before.

This week 70 years ago, men from all walks and ages stood in long lines to join the armed forces. Boys even lied about their ages to get in. The unity and commitment came because the U.S. Navy had been all but decimated just weeks earlier on Dec. 7, at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands. Overnight, America changed from a country somewhat ambivalent about Germany's intentions abroad to one committed to all out war in the Pacific and eventually, Europe.

The attack on the Hawaiian Islands was swift and deadly. Over 2,100 died. America immediately went on alert — not just to plan a way to strike back as soon as possible, but also to guard against a potential invasion. Speculation was rampant. Convinced the West Coast was in imminent danger, groups of citizen sentries were organized.

It's splitting hairs, but technically, on that day, the United States was not attacked. As a nation and military, of course we were. But, insofar as land title, Hawaii wouldn't become a state for another 17 years in 1959. Of course, that didn't matter. The game was on.

Part of that game was calculating defensive measures for strategic territories. As I mentioned, mainlanders scoured the skies and waters of the Pacific Ocean with their binoculars looking for Japanese planes and ships. The government looked elsewhere. In fact, an actual invasion of Hawaii was virtually expected. Plans needed to be put in place in the event that it happened.

I can't speak to the military preparations made, but monetarily, Hawaii was about to experience a unique change. The currency used on the islands was all U.S. bills. Should the Japanese invade Hawaii, the money could have been used around the world against us. What to do?

The solution came in a strategic economic move. Because Hawaii was clearly the most vulnerable territory, the U.S. government modified U.S. currency just for it.

The bills stayed exactly the same, except that on the front the Treasury Seal and serial numbers were printed in brown ink. The word "Hawaii" was also printed in two places on the front. The big difference came on the back where the word "Hawaii" was printed across the entire back in very large letters. No gray area there.

The bills were distributed on the islands, and all other U.S. currency was recalled and collected. The government was very serious about that. Citizens on the islands having or using any non-Hawaiian paper money could be arrested. That was especially true for banks.

The purpose of the change was immediately evident to those living on the islands and was anything but a morale booster. Should Hawaii be invaded, the U.S. government would immediately declare all Hawaiian money worthless, so it couldn't be used anywhere in the world. Those same Hawaiian bills were also used to pay U.S. soldiers stationed in other areas in the Pacific. Of course, there was always a big "what if?"

The "what if" was that there was a chance that whomever had switched their regular U.S. currency for the Hawaiian money (or been paid in it) could lose everything if the Japanese did invade. The bills would be tantamount to confederate currency. Happily, that never happened. Japan never invaded, and the law requiring the new bills use expired in 1944, when the tide has shifted and U.S. troops were making significant headway in the Pacific.

After the war, the bills became curiosities. They were legal tender and blended with regular currency until they fell apart like all paper money does and slowly vanished. Of course, their lore lived on, and they became quite collectible over the years. Because so few pristine uncirculated bills existed, those is top condition were especially sought after — today, even more so.

Most of the Hawaiian $1.00 bills can now be found in collections or at coin dealers. In circulated condition, they are affordable at around $30. Conversely, uncirculated specimens can cost into the hundreds of dollars.

Hawaii bills were also printed in $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00 denominations. Those tend to be far scarcer and sell for appreciably more, especially in uncirculated condition. In any condition, they are vivid reminders of what was and thankfully, what wasn't. Aloha!

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of the back of a "Hawaii" $1.00 bank note has been sent with this column.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.