1887

UNITED STATES: United States Department of Defense Gold Barter Kit for World War II

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
UNITED STATES: United States Department of Defense Gold Barter Kit for World War II
PLEASE NOTE: You must request a bid limit when you register. If you would like to have a large bid limit, you must provide adequate references, or you must have previously established strong credit history with our company. Late registration may result in delayed approval.
UNITED STATES: United States Department of Defense Gold Barter Kit for World War II Military Personnel. This historic item is a 94 mm x 112 mm black rubber case that contains a British sovereign, two British half sovereigns, and one example each of the French 20 and 10 franc gold coins. Also included, as issued, are three solid gold rings. These kits were designed to allow OSS operatives, paratroopers, aviators, and other military personnel behind allied enemy lines in Europe to barter their way to safety. Both sides of the case have the inscription IF FOUND RETURN TO / COM NAV AIR LANT (ONAL34) / NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. This item comes with the original paperwork from the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency Sealed Bid sale from 1980. The number 1210 is handwritten on the top of the box, and according to the government document with the item, this set contains 9/10 of a troy ounce of gold in the form of .75 troy ounces for the coins and .15 troy ounces for the rings, RR. The COM NAV AIR LANT (Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic) was established on 1 January 1943 and is also known as the Naval Air Force Atlantic. This set has remained sealed which is very rare for these items and with the original paperwork from the United States Government and invoice from the Defense Property Disposal Region Office in Columbus, Ohio where it originally sold for $700 on 18 April 1980. A remarkable item for the collector of World War II memorabilia!