From Mess Halls to Memorabilia: the Story of Forces Vouchers
Once a staple of military life, British Armed Forces Special Vouchers have had a turbulent journey in the collecting world. When these notes were officially withdrawn, a flood of remaining stock hit the market, causing prices to tumble. However, as time passes and collectors snap them up, their scarcity is steadily increasing—making them a strong candidate for future appreciation in value.
If you’re looking to invest, mint-condition notes or runs of consecutive serial numbers are particularly worth seeking out.
The 5p, 10p, and 50p vouchers were last in circulation during the Falklands Conflict of 1982, marking the end of an era. To put that time into perspective:
- A gallon of petrol cost £1.64
- A pint of beer was 61p
- A pint of milk (in a glass bottle) set you back 20p
These notes weren’t just military currency—they were designed specifically to prevent black market trading. Unlike standard banknotes, they were issued directly to service personnel and could only be used within military canteens, mess halls, and designated establishments. The fear was that regular money circulating in overseas bases could be exploited or lead to unofficial exchanges with the local economy.
Another little-known fact is that certain issues of these vouchers were deliberately printed in different colours and designs to prevent counterfeiting. The British military periodically changed the series, meaning some designs are significantly rarer than others. For instance, some early series were printed on fragile paper that deteriorated quickly, making well-preserved examples much harder to find today.
Though long out of use, these fascinating pieces of military and numismatic history are proving that, in collecting, old money can still hold value.
