Welcome to right now’s Photograph of the Day! Right here we’ve a sealed U.S. Navy Atlantic escape and evasion “Barter Package” serial quantity 807, designed for American pilots downed behind enemy strains. These kits contained roughly .90 troy ounces of high quality gold in cash and rings for bartering with civilians or resistance forces throughout escape makes an attempt.
The Atlantic variation historically contained a British or South African gold Sovereign, two gold half Sovereigns, a ten Franc coin, a 20 Franc coin, and three gold rings. The laborious rubber case is marked “IF FOUND RETURN TO/COMNAVAIRLANT (CNAL 34)/NORFOLK, VIRGINIA” on each side with serial quantity “807” on one aspect.
The usage of “COMNAVAIRLANT” abbreviation for Commander, Air Pressure Atlantic began within the Fifties, suggesting this package dates from that period ahead by the Chilly Conflict interval. These kits had been issued to naval aviators flying over hostile or unfriendly territory the place they could have to evade seize.
Because of the gold worth, every package was serial numbered and required sign-out and sign-in procedures with all contents accounted for if opened in the middle of obligation. This created accountability for the dear contents whereas guaranteeing pilots had sources for escape and evasion if wanted.
The idea was easy – gold is universally valued and doesn’t require language to barter with. A downed pilot may commerce gold cash or rings for civilian garments, meals, shelter, transportation, or help reaching pleasant forces. The combo of various nations’ cash elevated flexibility relying on the place the pilot got here down.
This package stays sealed, which means it was by no means issued for precise use or was signed again in unopened after its assigned pilot’s service ended. Discovering sealed examples is rare since many had been both used, misplaced, or opened by collectors.
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“Uncommon Sealed U.S. Navy Atlantic Escape and Evasion ‘Barter Package’.” Rock Island Public sale, www.rockislandauction.com/element/4096/1318/rare-sealed-us-navy-atlantic-escape-and-evasion-barter-kit. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
