From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 1039 Date: Thursday, October 30, 2003 2:22 PM =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 1039 Thursday October 30, 2003 Back to the Basics: Determining Position Numbers By Mark "Sparky" Watson So, you just bought a Military Payment Certificate (MPC) note that does not look quite right and are wondering if it is counterfeit. One quick check to soothe some fears is verify that the position number corresponds to the serial number. Don't know how to do this? Have no fear and read on. To determine if the position number agrees with the serial number of a MPC note, you have to know the printing process of the notes. All notes are printed as part of a sheet of the same denomination. There are 84 notes per sheet for the fractional denominations, 70 notes per sheet for $1 notes, and 50 notes per sheet for $5, $10, and $20 notes (56 notes per sheet for these denominations in Series 691 and 701). Furthermore, notes are printed in blocks of 8,000 sheets, or 1 unit. So, by multiplying the number of notes per sheet by the number of sheets in a unit, you can determine how many serial numbers are in each unit. For example, serial numbers 00000001 to 00560000 are in the first unit of $1 notes (70 notes / sheet x 8000 sheets / unit = 560,000 notes / unit). By continuously adding 560,000 to the serial number range, you can then determine what serial numbers are in unit 2, unit 3, etc. for $1 notes. With this understanding of the printing method, two steps are needed to get the position number from a serial number. Below, I will describe each step and then follow up with two examples, one using a Series 521 25 cent note, serial number E08175349E, the other a Series 681 $5 note, serial number C01283532C. First, you need to determine what serial number your note would be if it had been in the first unit regardless of what unit it actually was printed in. To do this, you take the serial number and divide it by the number of notes per unit (672,000 for fractionals; 560,000 for $1 notes; 400,000 for $5, $10, and $20 notes [448,000 if Series 691 or 701]). Unless you have the last note in the unit, you will have a decimal number after you do the division. Take the whole number (the number to the left of the decimal), multiply it by the number of notes per unit, and then subtract that number from the serial number. By doing this, you have now identified the specific unit and the respective serial number of your note. Example: E08175349E = 8,175,349 8,175,349 / 672,000 = 12.165... 12 x 672,000 = 8,064,000 8,175,349 - 8,064,000 = 111,349 note in the 13th unit C01283532C = 1,283,532 1,283,532 / 400,000 = 3.208... 3 x 400,000 = 1,200,000 1,283,532 - 1,200,000 = 83,532 note in the 4th unit For the second step, you need to know how serial numbers are assigned to the notes. Serial numbers are incremented downwards through a unit, not across on a sheet. So, serial number 2 is below serial number 1 in a unit. This means that position number 1 notes in the first unit would have serial numbers from 000000001 to 00008000, position number 2 notes are 00008001 to 00016000, etc. So, for this step, take the number you calculated above and divide it by 8,000. Again, most likely you will have decimal number. Just round it up to the next whole number, and you will know the position number of the note in question. If you came out with a whole number originally, no rounding is needed. Example: E08175349E is the 111,349 note in its block 111,349 / 8,000 = 13.918 13.918 rounded up is 14, so this note has position number 14 C01283532C is the 83,532 note in its block 83,532 / 8,000 = 10.441 10.441 rounded up is 11, so this note has position number 11 Of course, there is at least one known anomaly in the position numbers where this method doesn't work as written. Doug Bell discovered that the Series 541 25 cent notes in the 17th unit, i.e., starting with serial number F10752001F, do not follow this scheme. After some investigative work by Russ Walsh, Russ discovered that the formula works if the number of sheets in a unit is cut in half to 4,000. In the exclusive Gram news article about the notes with matching serial numbers, there were several questions about whether or not the position numbers should also match. Fred explained that when the notes are from the same group of denominations (fractional or high values) the position numbers would match. He also pointed out that when they are not from the same group of denominations, they should not match with one exception. The exception is any note in the first unit of printing with a position number less than or equal to 50 can all have the same serial number and position number regardless of denomination. That is because all notes were printed in blocks of 8000 (with a few minor exceptions like the 541 25 cent notes). However, the sheet size varied depending on the denomination with the fractionals being printed 84 per sheet, $1 notes at 70 per sheet, and larger denominations printed to 50 per sheet (excluding the 691 and 701 notes that were printed to 56 per sheet). So, any note up to position number 50 in the first unit would match. =========================================== Editorial/opinion =========================================== Probably the most significant item that I found at the militaria shop was also the smallest. It is a 25 cent POW chit from Fort Sam Houston, Texas. It is not listed in WWII Remembered or Campbell. I assume that it is not in Donn, but I have not verified that. Possibly Larry has found one in his research. The chit is pink-red (SN 17887E) with standard text. It has been cancelled with a single punch. Of particular interest is a blue overstamp giving an expiration date. Specifically it (the stamp) says VOID after May 2? 194?. I think that the date is May 25, 1944, but I am not certain. A google search for Fort Sam Houston POW came up with the following good link. http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/rlbc/pow.htm =========================================== MAIL CALL =========================================== Dear Editor, The DOD organization in Iraq, headed by Paul Bremer is called the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). This is their web page: www.cpa-iraq.org You can see all the new Iraqi currency on this site at the following link: http://www.cpa-iraq.org/pressreleases/20031014_currency.pdf The new notes are now "on the market." http://www.iraqidinars.com/pages/18/index.htm David Klinger PS: (another piece of trivia: notice the left serial number on the 25000 is printed vertically - I never saw that before - have you?) Dear David, Thanks for the info, but the most important question concerns your safety out there in the fires. We hope and trust that you and yours are safe and that the fires will be controlled soon. Vertical serial numbers are not real rare, but admittedly a bit unusual. I believe that they have even appeared on Fest notes (if not, they probably will). Editor =========================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS =========================================== 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, Doug Bell, Bob Olson($$), Fred Schwan. # new Fester, $ paid. $$ paid single (¢¢ unpaid single) occupancy. Running totals: total 28, new festers 9. Standard rate $148, single occupancy $198, payments may be made by mailing paper instruments of any kind to BNR Press (or MPCFest or even Fred Schwan) at 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Payments may also be sent via PayPal ( fredschawan@yahoo.com). Once you have sent your payment, monitor the above list to ensure that it has been received and posted). Show n tell: Gail Baker (education@money.org) Travel coordination: Sparky Watson (mcwatson@yahoo.com) Auction items: Larry Smulczenski (skifla@prodigy.net) Exhibits: Joe Boling (joeboling@aol.com ) The Portland, Oregon, ANA is March 26-28 and it is sponsored by the Willamette Coin Club with Larry Gaye as the show chairman. Howard Sarg Daniel will be manning a NI/NBS/IBNS club table at this show, and moderating meetings for NI and IBNS. As always, Gramsters are welcome at the NI and IBNS meetings and at the club table. Masstricht April 23-25, Valkenburg, The Netherlands, contact Jos Eijsermans, Box 3240, NL 5930 Tegelen Netherlands 2005 date tba, MPCFest VI, reservations now being accepted. Reservations entered in order received: John Cheney$, Danny Bingham$, Fred Schwan. # new Fester, $ paid. $$ paid single occupancy. Running totals: total 3, new festers 1. ======================================== 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 your donation 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 John & Nancy Wilson John Cheney Neil Schafer Joel Shafer Arlen Sheldon 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 Dear Editor, While rummaging through some boxes I had packed away, I came across a pack of Series 641 $.05 notes, with original wrapper though a little dirty and torn on the crease, SN 08902101J thru 08902200J, position number 21. The notes are still crisp but not Gem and using your catalog as a guide, I am asking $400.00 for the pack. Any questions can be directed to me at Hunchkie66@yahoo.com. Thanks and keep up the good work on the Gram. Paul 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 Columnist: 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!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/