From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 1013 Date: Sunday, September 28, 2003 7:19 PM =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 1013 Sunday September 28, 2003 Changes at Lyn Knight Auctions According to reports in Numismatic News, and the financial news, Lyn Knight Auctions has been purchased from Collectors Universe by Lyn Knight. Both the seller and buyer state that this sale/purchase/reversion was to their advantage. Lyn Knight (and his firm) are well known to Gramsters. Lyn is a Gramster and occasional letter writer [Lyn, we would like more]. Even more importantly, the auction firm has taken a leadership position in selling military money in the past few years. In 2002 it sold the Leo May collection of military payment certificates. In 2003 it started selling the RAM collection of military money. Any effect on the next sale and the RAM collection is not known at this time. It is significant to Gramsters that in the various stories published Knight specifically mentions the expansion of his auctions into MPC as having been made possible during the time that the company was under the Collectors Universe umbrella. Financing War by Warner Talso This is the second of a discussion of Russian war financing. This will include financial instruments mentioned in SB and Marcus Turner's exhibit. Recall from the previous discussion, that the burdens of the war were largely met by the current generation. This meant an emphasis on bonds (also called loans) and lotteries. State military loans were repaid by lottery. Beginning in 1942, the USSR began selling military loans by subscription. The terms "selling" and "subscription" are used very loosely in this context. At this time the Soviet State was a one-employer economy. When military loans were offered, they became part of the individual's pay and there was no alternative. There were two types. The first type were officially known as the "Playings Issue" and were commonly called "Lottery Bonds". These were issued between 1942 and 1945 in multiples of 100 rubles. There were four wartime lotteries. They were printed by Gosnak, the Soviet State printer. There were biannual or quarterly drawings (depending on the bonds) resulting in winners being awarded prizes equaling four percent annually, based on the bonds value. By design of the lottery, one third of the bonds were drawn and redeemed. The remaining bonds were redeemed following the end of the loan period. The second type were simple military loans with shares or coupons attached. These were commonly called "Coupon Bonds." These were issued between 1942 and 1945 in denominations of 100, 500, and 1000 rubles. There is little known about these Coupon Bonds. To date only 24 examples of Soviet Coupon Bonds of World War II have been verified worldwide. It is speculated that they were not intended for the general public, but perhaps for the tiny non-state sector of the Soviet economy known as coops (co-ops?). Lottery tickets had been sold in the USSR since 1922. It was easy to direct this fund raising process to aid the war effort. The proceeds of ticket sales were used for support aspects of the war such as food, general goods, and administration rather than direct financing of combat activities. Bonds are striking in the use of extremely patriotic vignettes. All denominations of an issue have the same vignette. In addition to the two major fund-raising tools, above, there are several other lesser efforts. Between 1939 and 1941, when the USSR was engaged in the Finno-Russian "Winter War" and occupied the Baltic States, Osoviakhim Tickets were issued. Osoviakhim was a society dealing with the training of civilians for the purpose of providing civil defense and "is the base of peaceful labor and defense of the USSR." Beginning in 1941, the Peoples Commissariat of Finances of the USSR began issuing lottery tickets. This issue was termed a "Money and Goods Lottery" to support the war effort. There were 15 Republics within the USSR, plus "Administrative Districts" and "Autonomous Regions." Lottery bonds are known to have been sold in all the Republics. However, there is the question of individual entities of the USSR creating their own financial instruments. For example, the war bonds of Tannu Tuva (SB, p. 370). The Tuvinian Peoples Republic was semiautonomous and under the "heavy influence" of the USSR. Could others have done the same? This suggests other interesting opportunities for investigation. =========================================== Editorial/opinion =========================================== The resale of Lyn Knight auctions certainly came as a surprise. Possibly indicators were there, but I did not see them. When Collectors Universe bought the Knight firm, only a few changes were obvious to us--the customers. Some of the changes were good. Several were bad. I will share my favorite bad one because it is fun. With the centralized help in creating auction catalogs, the critical aspects of notes were often obscured in auction catalogs. Specifically, replacement serial numbers were frequently covered by a note of much less significance. Heck, we like to see all serial numbers! I suspect that with more direct supervision by Lyn we will see less of that particular problem. Obviously, we wish all parties well and look forward to future collaboration. =========================================== MAIL CALL =========================================== Dear Esteeemed Editor, I recently found a book about US bonds and mailed it to Larry. After he received it, he contacted me about payment. I replied that a cup of coffee at the FUN Show in January in Orlando, Florida would be payment enough. He mentioned he was going into the hospital but not the reason. I am not a praying person (except when during and after someone has been shooting at me) so I will just have to threaten him with wanting a signed IOU for a lot of money for that bond book instead of the cup of coffee. That should get him working on being healthy again! The Master Sergeant Daniel Gramsters, As Fred said, things like Larry's surgery bring us up short and remind us to keep our priorities straight. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in "things of the day" we forget what the really important things are. All GRAM readers and most serious MPC collectors know Larry for his well deserved reputation as an expert in military currency, related subjects and more. Those of us lucky enough to know Larry personally, know him as a first class human being, a good man to have as a friend, a fellow with his head screwed on right and as a just all around good guy. Take care, Larry, and get well soon. Larry, if this reaches you, I'm sure you know many of your friends are reading this and all of them join in thoughts and prayers for your quick recovery. Count me in their company. Bill Murray Dear Bill, I can give a slight update since Harolds in 1012. I called Larry in his hospital bed on the third day (I think) after the operation. He was feeling much better. Here is a dilemma. Apparently he was not feeling good enough to comment on the attractiveness of the nursing staff, but he was very interested in some research discoveries that I shared with him. I do not know for sure what to make of these observations. Editor =========================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS =========================================== Joe Bolings performances in the Seattle Fringe Theatre Festival 9/19 - 9pm 9/20 - 2:30 pm 9/21 - 10:30pm 9/22 - 7pm 9/26 - 6pm 9/27 - 3:30pm 9/28 - 8pm (playFest) IBNS London Congress on October 4 and 5 at the Trade Union Congress hall, two blocks from the British Museum. If you have a paybook, bring it along and you shall be paid. If you do not have a paybook, find a challenge coin. Anyone who presents their (own, personal, not someone else's) challenge coin shall qualify for partial pay. If you do not have a challenge coin, get one now! PCDA National and World Paper Money Convention. November 19-23, 2003. St. Louis Hilton Airport Hotel, 10330 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63134. Lyn Knight auction, consignment deadline September 30, 2003 2004 CPMX February 26-28, Lyn Knight auction. Consignment deadline January 10, 2004. March 5-7, MPCFest V, reservations now being accepted. Reservations entered in order received: Roger Urce#$$, John Cheney#$, David Seelye, Harold Kroll, Gail Baker#, Leo May$$$, Kevin Neidy, Cuneyd Tolek, Warner Talso, Cameron Bueschel, Wendell Wolka, John V. Craig#, John Cheney#, Steve Swoish, Joe Bissell#, Sparky Watson, Nick Schrier, Loretta Freyser, Dick Freyser, Ron Waddell, Robert Drew, Ed Arrich#, Neil Shafer#, Dan Freeland#, Bill McNease, Fred Schwan. # new Fester, $ paid. $$ paid single occupancy. Running totals: total 26, new festers 9. Standard rate $148, single occupancy $198, payments may be made by mailing paper instruments of any kind to BNR Press (or MPCFest or even Fred Schwan) at 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Payments may also be sent via PayPal (fredschawan@yahoo.com). Once you have sent your payment, monitor the above list to ensure that it has been received and posted). Show n tell: Gail Baker (education@money.org ) Travel coordination: Sparky Watson (mcwatson@yahoo.com ) Auction items: Larry Smulczenski (skifla@prodigy.net) Exhibits: Joe Boling (joeboling@aol.com) The Portland, Oregon, ANA is March 26-28 and it is sponsored by the Willamette Coin Club with Larry Gaye as the show chairman. Howard Sarg Daniel will be manning a NI/NBS/IBNS club table at this show, and moderating meetings for NI and IBNS. As always, Gramsters are welcome at the NI and IBNS meetings and at the club table. Masstricht April 23-25, Valkenburg, The Netherlands, contact Jos Eijsermans, Box 3240, NL 5930 Tegelen Netherlands 2005 date tba, MPCFest VI, reservations now being accepted. Reservations entered in order received: John Cheney$, Fred Schwan. # new Fester, $ paid. $$ paid single occupancy. Running totals: total 2, new festers 0. ======================================== 2004 scholarship fund Donations of cash and numismatic material will be gladly accepted. Generally the numismatic material is auctioned at MPCFest, but might be sold via ebay or other places. Your scholarship donations help the hobby by sending qualified individuals to the ANA summer seminar military money class. Except for unavoidable charges like ebay fees, 100% of yourdonation goes to scholarships. Al Glaser RA Medina Warner Talso David Seelye Russ Walsh Joe Boling Harold Kroll Pam West Ed Hoffman Ron Wadell Wes Hardy Dick Freyser Robert Drew Brett Irick Kevin Neidy Brian Giese 2003 Scholarship Donors Ed Hoffman - RA Medina - Dick Freyser -Larry Smulczenski - David Seelye - Howard Daniel - Steve Feller - Warner Talso - Pam West - Mr. 691 - Leo May - John & Nancy Wilson - Max Spiegel - Gail Baker - Chris Connell - Bill Haines - Joel Shafer - Mikhail (Misha) Istomin - Gary Hicks - Robert Drew - Tom Warburton - Larry Lee - Fred Schwan - Mark Watson - Harold Kroll - Ian Marshall - Marcus Turner - Neil Shafer - Keith & Sue Bauman Contact me at: "Marcus Turner" mail to: maturner@indy.rr.com Checks should be made out to the "Military Numismatists Scholarship." or Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, Indiana 46123 USA IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION Additional information can be found at the link below. We encourage everyone to print copies of this information and distribute it to those who might be interested. Further you are encouraged to e-mail the pdf document to anyone you see fit. Thank you http://www.papermoneyworld.net/news/Military Numismatists Scholarship Fund 2003.pdf Marcus Turner Scholarships from the ANA: See the following location for an application for financial aid to the summer seminar: http://www.money.org/sumsemfin.html =========================================== MPC ANA Museum Project =========================================== ANA collection of MPC: Thanks to donations from Douglas Bell, Dick Fryser, Ed Beaman, Bruce Peacock, David Seelye, Michael Cummings, Ray Czahor, David Pitchford and Mr 691the ANA MPC collection is current as follows: Series 100 - [50 sen], [1Y, 5Y, 10Y, 20Y all A underprint] Series 461 - 5, [10] cents, [$1] Series 471 - [5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $10] Series 472 - [5, 10 cents], [$1, $10] Series 481 - 5 cents, [10, 25 cents], 50 cents, $1, [$5] $10 Series 521 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, [$10] Series 541 - 5, 10, 25 cents Series 591 - [5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1] Series 611 - [5, 10, 25 cents, $1] Series 641 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1, $5, $10 Series 651 - [$1] Series 661 - [10, 25, 50c], [$5], [$1, $5] $10 Series 681 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1, [$5], [$20] Series 691 - [$1, $5, $10, $20] Series 692 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1 Series 701 - [$1, $5, $10, $20] [50c etc.] = notes donated by Gramsters --Chris Connell =========================================== RESEARCH =========================================== New modification to the database you can now retrieve your password if you have forgotten at the main logon screen. Keep in mind syntax is important. The mpc database has changed its name it now going to be referred as, WW II P a p e r M o n e y D a t a B a s e This is just a hint of things to come If you are having trouble logging on please inform Doug Bell At doug@papermoneyworld.net Papermoneyworld maintains an innovative interactive data base of all military payment certificates. Everyone is invited to enter notes in their possession or that they have observed. Visit the site at: http://www.papermoneyworld.net/user/default.asp this project is financially supported by David Seelye http://www.thempcman.net/ , mailto: coinman@rochester.rr.com =========================================== Subscription information: =========================================== You can enter an email address to receive the gram by using the link below. Use this to change your address (add the new one), add a friend or enemy. http://www.papermoneyworld.net/WebMailList/Default.asp ========================================= HOT CONTACT LIST - DEALER & RESOURCE LIST Below is the BNR Press Hot Contact List. This list serves several functions. Obviously it is an outreach by the dealers listed for your business. Most of them buy and sell MPC. Others organize shows or publish periodicals, or furnish information dedicated to this field. They have supported the new Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates with their advertising. They deserve your support and patronage! Name phone fax / cell email Allens (614) 882-3937 (614) 882-0662 info@allens.com American Coins & Collectibles (800) 865-3562 American Numismatic Ass'n (800) 367-9723 ana@money.org Guy Araby (562) 945-7891(310) 508-0018 guyaraby@earthlink.net Bob Baker(713) 864-3122 Ken Barr (408) 272-3247 ken@kenbarr.com Fred Bart (810) 979-3400 Dick Balbaton (508) 699-2266 (508) 643-1154 RBalbaton@aol.com Keith and Suzanne Bauman (248) 647 8938 tnaksbauman@earthlink.net Joe Bissell (602) 440-0442 (602) 494-9103 BNR Press (419) 732-6683 (419) 732-6683 fredschwan@yahoo.com Remy Bourne (800) 789-7070 (763) 789-4747 Ed Carne (614) 882-3937 (614) 882-0662 info@allens.com Champion Stamp (212) 489-8130 (212) 581-8130 Cookie Jar Collectibles (301) 604-9225 cjcpi@comcast.net Guido Crapanzano [39] 2-8056228 [39] 2-4459856 Currency Dealer Newsletter (310) 515-7369 David F. Cieniewicz (205) 852-7015 CGC (602) 493-4758 (602) 494-9103 sales@gradedcurrency.com Mike Cummings (863) 603-9899 (863) 603-9880 mpccoin@hotmail.com Cygnet Charters (419) 734-2422 Ray Czahor (301) 604-9225 cjcpi@comcast.net Denlys of Boston (617) 482-8477 denlys@aol.com Doric Coins & Currency (508) 699-2266 (508) 643-1154 FUN (407) 321-8747 Great Lakes Bank Note Company (419) 732-6683 IBNS joeboling@aol.com Essie Kashani (909) 627-3996 (909) 627-2776 kashani10@aol.com Lowel Horwdel (765) 583-2748 (765) 583-4584 horwdel@inshightbb.com Lyn Knight (800) 243-5211 Krause Publications (715) 445-2214 bnr@krause.com Harold Kroll(251) 649-5134 HARBONS@aol.com Leo May (305) 720-0659 LeoMayEnt@aol.com Ian Marshall (416) 445-0286 (416) 445-0286 iam@total.net Memphis Coin Club (901) 757-2515 MPCGram (419) 732-6683 MPCGram@yahoo.com Pomexport Ltd. 1-201-641-6641 / Fax: 1-201-641-1700 E-Mail: Info@pomexport.com // website: http://www.Pomexport.com Bob Reed(504) 361-5684 bobreed@rrcoins.net Fred Schwan (419) 732-6683 (419) 732-6683 FredSchwan@yahoo.com David Seelye (585) 594-1987 (585) 594-2311 coinman@rochester.rr.com Richie Self (318) 868-9077 R. M. Smythe (800) 622-1880 (212) 908-4047 www.smytheonline.com Mel Steinberg & Son (415) 897-1654 (voice and fax) melsteinberg@mindspring.com Military Trader (800) 334-7165 Scott Winslow Associates (603)472-7040 (603) 472-8773 scott@scottwinslow.com George Warner(307) 672-3700 Pam West [44] 0208 641 3224[44] 0208 641 3224 pamwestbritnotes@compuserve.com ======================================= POST / BASE EXCHANGE(PX/BX/NEX) Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale, purchase or trade will be run here for free. Send your ads to the gram. This service is for everyone, most humble dealer or most advanced collector. The point is to make the gram more interesting. In all cases confirm your order via email first. FOR SALE WANTED SECTION: Collectors may submit lists of items wanted for their collections for listing here. Dealers and collectors who have these items, are then encouraged to list them for sale in the above section as a reply. Wanted listings will run for a period of 1 month. WANTED 01; =========================================== MPC Gram Staff: Publisher, editor: Fred Schwan - MPCGram@yahoo.com Subscription Manager:Doug Bell- doug@papermoneyworld.net Tuesday Columnist : JoeBoling - JoeBoling@aol.com Friday Columnis: Warner Talso: wtalso@aol.com Fest Auctioneer: Larry "Ski" Smulczenski - skifla@prodigy.net Critic:Harold Kroll - HARBONS@aol.com Scholarship Coordinator: Marcus Turner - maturner@indy.rr.com Webmaster & Technical Advisors:Doug Bell "Wiz" - doug@papermoneyworld.net Russ Walsh - russ.walsh@gte.net Fact Checker: Warner Talso -Calendar Coordinator: John & Nancy Wilson - The Boss: Judy Schwan ===== MPC Gram is published by BNR Press and papermoneyworld.com as a free service to the community of military money collectors. Your suggestions, criticisms, complaints, editorial contributions, letters, and even praise are very welcome. The entire contents including linked illustrations are copyright protected by the publishers. In the case of contributors, the copyright is protected on behalf of the creators. Please send all correspondence regarding the gram to MPCgram@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for your participation. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com