Return-Path: Received: from web5204.mail.yahoo.com ([216.115.106.85]) by tyner.mail.mindspring.net (Mindspring Mail Service) with SMTP id t5joop.96m.37kbi5q for ; Mon, 8 Jan 2001 10:56:09 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <20010108155506.12087.qmail@web5204.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [64.12.104.54] by web5204.mail.yahoo.com; Mon, 08 Jan 2001 07:55:06 PST Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001 07:55:06 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPC Gram 218 To: mpcgram@yahoo.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii ==================================================== MPC Gram ==================================================== Covering the Entire World of Military Numismatics ---------------------------------------------------- Series 002-Number 218 Monday - 8 January 2001 ORIGINAL ALLIED MILITARY CURRENCY RESEARCH Ken Bressett Several months ago editor Fred Schwan asked me to write a few words about the original investigation and research into Allied Military Currency carried on by Neil Shafer and myself in 1969. When I promised to do so I overlooked the fact that time has a way of dulling the excitement of such events. In retrospect, the discoveries we made do not seem earthshaking today, unless they are viewed in the context that almost nothing was known about the mysterious Military Currency at that time. Both Neil and I were intent on collecting as many different kinds of AMC as we could find, but there were no catalogs, lists or records of what had been issued. Every new variety discovered was a thrill because there was no way of knowing which bills were destined to become scarce or common, until others were reported. We also had to analyze misinformation and speculation that was current at the time as to where and by whom some of the notes had been issued or used. Concurrent with our study of Allied Military Currency we were involved in publishing the monthly Whitman Numismatic Journal. It soon became obvious that if we could discover enough new material about the subject, it would make a good article for the magazine. Our original intent was simply to produce a good reference so that other collectors could see what was available in the AMC series. Full credit must be given to Neil Shafer for his pioneer work in researching every avenue and every aspect of this project. While it was a combined effort, it was Neil who led the way and did much of the writing of the final piece that appeared in the November 1969 issue of the Journal. It was both of us who read and reread the reams of government documents, reports and records. Much of the material had never been seen or analyzed prior to that time, and through those sources we began to learn the extent of production and use of the currency. One of the most intriguing parts of the investigation was our puzzlement over the strange tiny letters that appeared in hidden places on some of the notes. One letter seemed to be "J," and the other "S." At first there seemed to be no pattern or explanation as to why those letters were on the notes. Then one night while I was studying reports on where the notes were printed, I suddenly realized that the letter was not a "J," but a stylized "F." My former background in printing made that an easy call, but it had not occurred to anyone else before. Once the scales were lifted from our eyes it was an easy reach to see that it was a "mintmark" for the Forbes printing company, and that the "S" indicated Stecher-Traung printing. Notes that were not marked had to have been made at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. My excitement over the breakthrough could not wait until morning, I had to call Neil Shafer late at night and share the news with him. When we got to work the next day we took a fresh look at all our notes and began working out the pattern of production that became a standard for collectors thereafter. Our research revealed several other aspects of the AMC saga. Besides identification of the "mintmarks," we showed the importance of watermarks used in the paper, tabulated the quantities delivered for each issue, and speculated on the probable existence of previously uncataloged notes. The most important feature of the article, for many collectors, was the reattribution of Allied Military Marks used in the various German zones, and identification of the Russian printed notes. Looking back on the enjoyment and satisfaction we had in "breaking the code" of this series has brought back many pleasant memories. It was a chapter in my life that will long be remembered. ==================================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------------- It is a distinct honor to publish the above story by Ken Bressett about the research that he and Neil Shafer did on AMC. That was important and ground breaking research. The importance is evident when you consider how well known the printing information now is. Most of us would assume that this information has "always" been there! Of course that is not the case at all, Ken and Neil brought it to us. The 1969 Whitman Journal about AMC not only contains the news of their research, but is still a valuable resource for AMC collecors, and, possibly, most important of all, an important item to be collected by current collectors. I love having a copy in my library. I had not thought of having it autographed by the big duo, but will try to remember to take it to Atlanta to have that done. The Orlando MPC show is history. It was indeed another great show in spite of the lost replacements and the way it messed with the gram schedule. We are sorry that you were gramless for the past few days. The news and features coming out of FUNMPC should make this an interesting week. If you were there and have more news and commentary, please send it. If you have sent it, please be patient! ==================================================== Mail Call ---------------------------------------------------- Great news from the Fun Show. You lucky dogs! Wish I was there. Say hello to all the Grammers! See you in Memphis. RA Medina =================================================== Departments --------------------------------------------------- WWII numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar 2001 --------------------------------------------------- Not only does the scholarship fund have an official identity but also has a bank account! Any further donations should be paid to the order of "Military Numismatists Scholarship" and sent to: Military Numismatists c/o Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, IN 46123 THE UPDATED LIST OF SCHOLARSHIP BENEFACTORS 11/22/00 Mike Cummings Ed B. Doug Bell R. A. Medina Harold MPCKid Kroll Bill McNese Marcus Turner Larry Ski Fred PK6 Joel Shafer World Wide Ventures John & Nancy Wilson Neil Shafer ----------------------------------------------------- MPC Fest II ----------------------------------------------------- MPC Fest is the annual feast of MPC. After some difficulties of coordination we have not changed the dates and tentatively scheduled 9-11 March 2001 for MPC Fest II. If these dates cause a problem, please write the gram immediately. ==================================================== Post/Base Exchange (PX/BX/NEX) Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale 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. Send in a list of items for sale and we will list them here in the gram. In all cases confirm your order via email first. MPC Series 472 25c CU, $180, David Seelye, coinman@rochester.rr.com. MPC Series 641 $10 with flipper serial number (the number is still a number when held upside down) f-vf, $22. verify at fred@papermoneyworld.com. ============================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - fred@papermoneyworld.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein critic: Harold Kroll - MPCKid@papermoneyworld.com; index manager: Ed Beaman webmaster & technical advisor: Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.com; 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!? Yahoo! Photos - Share your holiday photos online! http://photos.yahoo.com/