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Global Barter / Global networks / G095

Global networks · POW camps in Italy and Germany · G095

Camp Parcel

Parcel goods traded in camp, priced by an agreed unit.

Front of Camp Parcel: 10 Rations, inspired by Cigarette currency in WWII prisoner-of-war camps, with actual Noun #26
Front · 150 × 75 mm
Back of Camp Parcel: the Cigarette currency in WWII prisoner-of-war camps tradition, how a note would work, and the traits of Noun #26
Back · the tradition

Security Edition v2

The same note set like a banknote: full engraved portrait of Noun #26, guilloche, watermark, thread, foil stripe and microtext, all printed art. What's on it

Security Edition front of Camp Parcel: a line-engraved portrait of the full actual Noun #26 in a guilloche oval beside a watermark window, thread and holographic-look stripe
Security Edition · front
Security Edition back of Camp Parcel: a color medallion of Noun #26 in a guilloche rosette, with the note's story
Security Edition · back
v2 front SVG ↓ v2 back SVG ↓

The tradition · 1942–1945

Cigarette currency in WWII prisoner-of-war camps

Economist R. A. Radford, himself a prisoner, described in 1945 how Allied POWs traded the contents of Red Cross parcels and priced goods in cigarettes, which became the camps' unit of account.

Source: R. A. Radford, 'The Economic Organisation of a P.O.W. Camp', Economica (1945) ↗

How a note would work

Rations are earned by contributing food, mending or skills in a closed community, such as a camp or expedition, and spent on goods others offer. They are never bought or cashed out.

Design concept inspired by this tradition, not issued by or for the people who keep it. Not legal tender, not for sale, no cash value, no redemption and no investment rights.

Front SVG ↓ Back SVG ↓ Machine edition
  • PlacePOW camps in Italy and Germany
  • Era1942–1945
  • RegionGlobal networks
  • UnitRation · Rations
  • Face value10 Rations
  • SerialGB-G095-N0026
  • NounActual Noun #26 ↗
  • Why this NounCamp prices rose and fell with parcel deliveries, a textbook chart in the making.
  • Headchart bars
  • Glassessquare red
  • Bodymagenta
  • Accessorymoon block
  • Seedbg 1 · body 17 · acc 69 · head 41 · glasses 15