10 New Pence British Armed Forces Special Voucher #545

Front

British Armed Forces Special Voucher, 10 New Pence, Sixth Series. These vouchers were issued by the Command of the Defence Council for use as internal currency within British military establishments and NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes) facilities worldwide. The voucher system prevented regular sterling from circulating in overseas bases and allowed military personnel to make purchases in canteens, shops, and recreational facilities. This denomination is marked 'SPECIAL VOUCHER' and 'FOR USE ONLY AS DETAILED ON THE REVERSE' with the text 'A USE ONLY AS DETAILED ON THE REVERSE' printed vertically along both edges.

Back

The reverse features the denomination 'FIVE NEW PENCE' prominently displayed with geometric guilloche patterns and security printing. Fine print at bottom restricts use to 'transactions within official canteens and organizations laid down in orders of the theatre, except as may be expressly authorized in special circumstances' and warns that 'improper use' or 'dishonest exchange' renders 'the offender liable to penalties under service law'.

History

The British Armed Forces Sixth Series vouchers were introduced in 1972 following decimalization of British currency in 1971, replacing the previous Fifth Series denominated in old pence and shillings. These special vouchers (also called BAFVs or 'Naffy money') served as a parallel currency system for British military personnel stationed overseas, particularly in Germany (BAOR - British Army of the Rhine), Cyprus, Hong Kong, and other garrison locations. The system prevented currency speculation, controlled foreign exchange exposure, and maintained discipline in military economies. The Sixth Series circulated from 1972 until 1988, when the voucher system was gradually phased out as electronic payment systems and ATMs became widespread in military facilities. Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., the noted British security printer, produced these notes with sophisticated anti-counterfeiting features. The serial number A/2 216882 indicates this is from an early print run. No printed issue year appears on the note itself; dating is inferred from the series designation and documented circulation period.