Japtan is a small island near the Eniwetok Atoll which was used for atomic tests from 1947 to 1962. Since most of the sailors were at sea during the tests, and there were no Rest and Recuperation (R & R) towns in the vicinity, Japtan Island filled that void. There was a bar, a swimming beach, and a shipwreck on Japtan Island.

The Japtan Island banknotes were printed aboard the USS Estes AGC-12 during the period of atomic bomb testing on the Eniwetok Atoll in 1952. Capt. Jack S. Holtwick, Jr., whose signature appears on the notes, was the Commanding Officer, 1952-1953, Five denominations were printed; 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $1 in Trade. These notes, originally considered to be novelty notes, were actually being used for commerce on Japtan Island. The natives accepted them in exchange for locally available products.

All five denominations have the same basic degign except a color change between the values. There is a palm tree with coconuts on the front which has been stylized to look like an atomic bomb explosion along with atom symbols on both sides. There is a picture of two nuclear particles bombarding the core of the explosive device on the back.

Donated scans.