From: mpcgram-owner@papermoneyworld.net on behalf of MPCgram [mpcgram@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 1:34 PM To: mpcgram@papermoneyworld.net Subject: *****SPAM***** MPCGram 1516 ------------------------ / MPC Gram News Letter / ----------------------- =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Series 8, no 1516 Wednesday November 3, 2006 Fake uncirculated MPC by Joe Boling  This column was written 8 November and has been modified twice as events continued to unfold while awaiting a gram to be published.  I got a small group of MPC for authentication this week. They came from a European auction firm who was not sure about their legitimacy, and originated in Italy. Here is my report back to the inquirer.  "The MPC are all genuine, but have been heavily washed and pressed. The embossing of the serials and position numbers has been added after the washing (perhaps while the paper was still wet). The washing has caused the color of the planchettes to run (become diffuse), and it has substantially damaged the colors of the series 471 $5 note.  "That note has also been trimmed to square up its corners, as has the series 481 $10. The 661 $20 has been trimmed on its ends, and the 692 $5 may have been trimmed on at least its left end.  "There are obvious folds and surface damage (pressed out) visible on the backs of all of the notes, and there is a spot of heavy abrasion on the face of the 692 $5 just to the left of the lower right position number.  "If you hold the 481 $10 vertically with the right end up and look at the serials with a glass with light falling across the note from top to bottom, you can see where the mechanical embossing has missed the serials by about one-half millimeter. On all of the notes, the numerals used to emboss the position numbers were not the correct size, and have caused obvious pushing in of the paper beyond the dimensions of the numerals.  "On the 471 $5, the words "series 471" were printed at the same time as the serials and position numbers, and so should show the same degree of embossing as the numerals, but the note doctor has not tried to emboss those characters.  "So, they are all good, but deceptively altered (and thus damaged more than if they had simply been left alone)."  The embossing discussed above was added to the notes by setting the same serial number in the same (or a very close) font and pressing it into the paper to simulate uncirculated embossing of serials. The position numbers were also embossed, but the font used was too large for the numerals involved. It is apparent that the note doctor here was trying to turn VF notes into unc-appearing notes. The colors of the 471 $5 note were severely washed out - it was the appearance of that particular note that first made the auctioneer suspicious of the whole lot. I have never seen planchette colors run like these had - I suspect that there was some kind of chemical in the wash water that affected the planchettes (and perhaps the colors of the 471 $5 as well).  Following are the serial numbers of the pieces described above: 471 $5 - B03499576B 481 $10 - D01048328D 661 $20 - B01037715B 692 $5 - E03958132E  Watch out for these - once they are slabbed, they will be a LOT harder to evaluate (watch for fuzzy planchettes in slabbed notes).  On 18 November I received an email from CollectPlaza, a Dutch auction house. The above MPC are listed in an 11 December auction, lots 4476-4479, properly described as washed, pressed, trimmed, and discolored. If you need an example of a throughly doctored note, here's your chance. Best to get these off of the market before someone gets them slabbed.  Also in that sale are scrip for troop-carrying vessels - lots 4155-4156 - with some Winterhulp pieces and Dutch canteen scrip in the preceding few lots, and Dutch ration material following. See also lot 5070 for some Winterhulp ceramic tokens.  The link for this sale is www.collectplaza-auctions.com. ***************************************************** Championship Question Corner Question 170 difficulty 2: Charles Vyner Brooke is on an emergency note for what colony? Outstanding Questions 169, difficulty 2: What series British Armed Forces Special Vouchers was used exclusively in Berlin. Question 168, difficulty 3: What is the highest denomination Indian Defense Savings Certificate? Answers and comments: Question 168: The question corner got really messed up in the delayed Grams. We will try to get it back on course. #169 the 6th Series BAFSVs were used exclusively in Berlin. #168 the highest denomination Indian Defense Savings Certificate is 1000 rupees. ========================================== Editorial ========================================== Is this a new record for delayed Grams? STOP--I really do not want to know. As most of you know, the time just flies and can get out of control. I have had many things that I wanted to discuss. I hope that I can remember at least most of these over the coming days and weeks. It hurt particularly to miss Veterans Day. Not only is 11-11 a special day for Americans (and the world), but it is a very special day for the Gram. It is our official anniversary day--the day when we start a new volume (series). That idea was Brad Peacock’s several years ago. No matter how we count them, can you believe that we have started our eighth series. (I think that the idea to call our annual volumes series was also that of Brad Peacock. On veterans day I read one particularly moving item. According to the article, in the United States there are twelve surviving World War I veterans. We have several important submissions from Joe Boling, Jim Downey and others so I really hope to get the Gram going more regularly again now. In spite of what I just said, please send in your reports, stories, questions, comments--and, yes, even criticisms! ========================================= Mail Call (send mail to MPCGram@yahoo.com) =========================================== Dear Editor, This is an interesting Internet article about Vegemite rationing during WWII. "Immediately prior to the outbreak of World War II, Vegemite was advertised in the Australian Medical Journal, and medical professionals recommended Vegemite as a Vitamin B rich, nutritionally balanced food for patients. By 1942 Vegemite had become a permanent fixture on Australian tables. However, tough times were experienced during World War II when supplies for the civilian market were rationed on a strict per capita basis. This was in order to meet the demand of the Armed Forces. The company kept Australians aware of why Vegemite was in short supply and continued to promote the healthy virtues of Vegemite, such as the high level of Vitamin B within the spread. Throughout the years of conflict, this message generated immeasurable goodwill for the product. When world peace finally arrived, Australia experienced a post-war ‘baby’ boom’ creating a huge new market for Vegemite." I wonder if there are WWII era Vegemite ration coupons? You can read more than you ever wanted to know about Vegemite on this web site: www.vegemite.com.au David Klinger Hi Fred: Is the gram still a viable entity? I haven't seen one in quite some time. Hope all is well. Richard Dear Richard, AOL has been cheating you and untold others out of their Grams. We do not know how to fight back. Editor =========================================== Calendar =========================================== 2006 The London Paper Money Fair has moved to: Victory Services Club, 63 Seymour Street, off Edgware Road, Marble Arch London and the dates are: Nov 26. see: www.britishnotes.co.uk or www.londonpapermoneyfair.co.uk Nov 11, Boling house warming party and mini Fest (1600-2000). Nov 16-19, 2007 Pcda St Louis. IBNS meeting with program by Jim Downey subject "notes with military themes." It is Saturday at 1:00, mini-Fest to follow. 2007 MPCFest: March 23-25 2007 details TBA. [Reservations received: John Cheney(T, k), Harold Kroll(T), Ski, Louise and Joe Boling (k), Warner and Jane (auxilliary)(T), Ian and Bella Marshall(T), Jim Downey(T), Howard Daniel(T,M), Bill Yanchick and Miles (T), Kathy and Dan Freeland (k,T), Sparky Watson (T), Roger Urce(T), Ray and Steve Feller, Geroge Slade, Fred and Judy (auxiliary) Schwan(T). [Totals: festers 20, new Festers 0, Tiger lillies (auxilliary) 2, k=king room] Eternal Festers: Mike Cummings, Robert Kutcher, Leo May. Coordinating instructions. Please try to coordinate ground transportation from Cleveland, Detroit or Toledo Airports to reduce rental cars. If you cannot find a ride on your own contact adjutant and transportation officer Sparky Watson (mark.watson@edwards.af.mil). Neither Sparky nor the Fest accept any responsibility for ground transportation, but we will be happy to try to coordinate a ride for you. This MIGHT include ground transportation being sent from Fest Headquarters, but you cannot count on this and you might have to wait depending on other demands. Memphis 21-23 June. ANA Summer semnar Session I: June 24-29, 2007* Session II: June 30-July 6, 2007 ANA Convention, Milwaukee. ========================================== for dealer Hot Contact list, ANA MPC museum holdings and other static information please click this link: http://www.papermoneyworld.net/Gramattichments.htm ========================================= 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. WANTED SECTION: Collectors may submit lists of items wanted for their collections for listing here. WANTED - JAPANESE INVASION MONEY (JIM). Collector/researcher of these notes by zone, type, and block letter, or number will buy or trade.  Checklist available, Anythinfg unusual is of particular interest. Mike Payton, 6609 Craig, Merriam, KS. USA 66202, papermoneymike@yahoo.com 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. ======================================= MPCGram Staff: Publisher, editor: Fred Schwan fred@papermoneyworld.net; 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 - skitex@cox.net, Critic:Harold Kroll - HARBONS@aol.com Scholarship Coordinator: Marcus Turner- marucs@papermoneyworld.net; Webmaster and Technical Advisors:Doug Bell "Wiz" - doug@papermoneyworld.net Russ Walsh -russ.walsh@gte.net Fact Checker: Warner Talso -Calendar Coordinator: John and 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. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sponsored Link Compare mortgage rates for today. Get up to 5 free quotes. www2.nextag.com mpc gram mail list To subscribe to a list, send a mail message to "imailsrv@papermoneyworld.net" at this address with the following in the body of the message: subscribe mpcgram your_full_name To unsubscribe from a list, send a mail message to "imailsrv@papermoneyworld.net" at this address with the following in the body of the message: unsubscribe mpcgram if you have any problems please report then to doug@papermoneyworld.net !DSPAM:4563561f73961800011000!