During the Japanese Occupation, Tawau was used as a multi-purpose platform. The increasing number of established companies reduced the land for the Japanese army. In February 1942, emergency issues valued at 50 cents, 1, 5, 10, and 25 dollars were used in the Nissan Estate of Tawau district. However, the amount was limited. Thus today, these notes are very rare especially the 10 and 25 dollars banknotes. These notes were printed with red ink and signed by the Estate Manager in the obverse. There were also banknotes found with no ink embarked or signed. It is believed that these were for reserve units in case there was a shortage of the notes in the estate. These notes were eventually replaced by the Japanese Invasion notes.
Top 2 is $1 banknote, bottom 2 is $5 banknote
Another interesting bank note article.
Is the Nissan mentioned connected to the Japanese car manufacture, do you know?
Thank you for sharing.