Between 1942 and 1946, more than 425,000 German, Italian, and some Japanese prisoners of war were held in approximately 700 camps across 46 U.S. states—a largely overlooked chapter of World War II history. In The Complete Book of World War II USA POW & Internment Camp Chits, authors Dave Frank and David E. Seelye deliver the most comprehensive study ever published of the camp-issued “money” used by POWs and internees: the canteen chits and coupon booklets spent on everyday items like candy, cigarettes, stationery, postage, and even 3.2% beer.
Frank and Seelye explain why POWs needed spending power in the first place. Under wartime policy, enlisted POWs could work in approved non-military jobs—farming, construction, and manufacturing—and were paid based on U.S. equivalents of rank, with additional allowances for necessities. Much of that pay could be converted into camp canteen coupons, but instead of using a single standardized system, many camps issued their own locally produced, ticket-like chits printed under private contract—creating a rich, highly collectible field that has not been fully documented in decades.
This landmark reference builds on earlier foundational work, including Albert Pick’s 1953 study, and greatly expands what was previously known. The book features brief histories for most camps, period anecdotes, and extensive full-color illustrations of chits and booklets. A new numbering system devised by the authors supports clear identification, while market values are provided for both used and new examples. Historical maps, documents, and archival photographs add depth and context throughout.
For collectors of military numismatics, paper money, or World War II history—and for anyone fascinated by the intersection of daily life and wartime logistics—The Complete Book of World War II USA POW & Internment Camp Chits offers an engaging, authoritative look at a little-known corner of America’s numismatic heritage.
