20 Pesos Peso #418

Front

Treasury Emergency Currency Certificate from the Negros Emergency Currency Board issued during World War II Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1944. This emergency scrip was issued under authority of the President of the Philippines as part of the Commonwealth's resistance efforts, certifying redemption at face value upon termination of emergency. The note bears signatures of Acting Treasurer J. Ledesma, Governor and Chairman Alfredo Montelibano (who led Negros resistance forces), and Provincial Auditor J.P. Remelete. The green seal of the Philippines appears at right, with serial number 904118 and denomination markers D² at corners.

Back

Text identifies this as issued by the Bohol Emergency Currency Board from Tagbilaran, Bohol, showing '10 PESOS' as denomination in ornate lettering with 'PHILIPPINES' below. The design features decorative borders with guilloche patterns and 'PESOS' denomination markers in corners. This represents locally-produced guerrilla currency created during the Japanese occupation when the Commonwealth government operated from various liberated or resistance-held areas.

History

This is a World War II emergency currency note from the Philippines, part of the Series of 1944 Treasury Emergency Currency. During the Japanese occupation (1942-1945), the Commonwealth Government-in-Exile authorized local emergency currency boards in liberated or resistance-held areas to issue provisional money. The front references the Negros Emergency Currency Board while the back states Bohol Emergency Currency Board (Tagbilaran, Bohol), suggesting this may be a mismatched pair or a note produced using mixed plates during the chaotic wartime conditions. These emergency issues were redeemed after liberation in 1945 and are now demonetized. Governor Alfredo Montelibano was a prominent resistance leader in Negros Occidental. Pick catalog S584 represents emergency scrip from this period. The note's promise to redeem 'in silver pesos or in legal tender currency' upon termination of emergency reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to honor these wartime issues.