When the Germans occupied the Channel Islands during the Second World War, German money was made legal tender. As a result almost all British and CI currency ‘disappeared under the floorboards’. Because of the shortage of small change, the Guernsey authorities obtained permission from the Germans to issue small denomination notes of 6d, 1/3, 2/6 and 5/-. The Germans agreed on the condition that a similar sum in Guernsey £1 notes was withdrawn from circulation. Later a further issue was made with Bank of England £1 notes being withdrawn. In both cases the notes were overprinted and held for destruction.