Status: U Return-Path: Received: from web5201.mail.yahoo.com ([216.115.106.95]) by runyon.mail.mindspring.net (Earthlink Mail Service) with SMTP id t8inuq.27c.37kbi7f for ; Tue, 13 Feb 2001 11:24:58 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <20010213162408.20629.qmail@web5201.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [205.188.200.21] by web5201.mail.yahoo.com; Tue, 13 Feb 2001 08:24:08 PST Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 08:24:08 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 253 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 253 Tuesday 13 February 2001 Hoards by Joe Boling It came to my attention this week that a group of about 100 pieces of the 1942/1945 200 yen note (P44/SB163) came out of Russia in the past year, from some bureau that had had them since the war. They were AU and Unc. I was asked why the price in the SCWPM had not dropped in the last edition. My comment (not knowing about the hoard) was to refer the writer to the most recent auction and fixed price list values that I had recorded, but to also mention that the JNDA catalog had dropped the values of most Japanese notes in 2001. This is the first time I recall the JNDA dropping values since the early 1970s, when the speculative market in Japanese coins collapsed. My correspondent then told me about the Moscow hoard. I must say, I have not seen a glut of these in dealers' stocks. I imagine that 100 pieces got soaked up by the market pretty quickly. There have been some other hoards in the past 15-25 years that seem to be all bought up now. The first was the Burma late-model 100 kyat Ba Maw note, P22/SB105. I was one of the first to buy those when they appeared (the holders released them slowly to keep the price high); my first two pieces (with and without SN) cost $390 each from some bozo named Schwan in 1975 or so. By 1985 I was able to buy a single piece for $26.45 and an uncut sheet of four pieces for $40. There seem to have been hundreds of these, and the price has stayed low. Next, about 1985, was the other Japanese Y200 note, P43A/SB166. That group came out of Burma; they were all toned brown and most of them had a small ink signature on a lower corner of the back (looked more like elaborate initials than a full signature). The paper on these was fragile, due to the adverse conditions under which they had been stored (which is also what turned them brown). I have not seen one of them offered for a couple years now. Dealers were asking high prices for them, but seemed to ignore the condition of the paper, which in my opinion knocked them down two grades from what normal folds and wear would indicate. In 1986 came a group of forty or so Hankow ten yuan Yokohama Specie Bank notes, P-S664, in grades of fine to very fine. Those came out of China or Taiwan (the first pieces offered were through a Taiwan dealer). Again, they were trickled out and I bought one of the first, at $500. I later upgraded it for about the same money. Those disappeared very quickly, and recent prices for that piece have been in the $2100-2500 range. A smaller group of YSB Hankow one yuan notes P-S662 seems to have been in the market more recently, but they also disappeared quickly. About 1991-2 the 50 sen ro-note started coming out of China into US stamp auctions (P-FIC M1/SB 2027). After a few pieces, note dealers began handling them as well; these were all unc, and there seems to have been at least a full pack of them (maybe quite a few more). The price dropped to about half of what fine notes had been previously, and seems to have stayed there. I have not seen one of these recently, but they may still be trickling out. A very small number of the one yen denomination started to appear toward the end of that dispersal, but they have not reached nearly the quantities that the 50 sen note showed. Anyone know of some other note that has come out in quantity recently? ==================================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------------- Joe Boling asks if there are any other recent hoards? I can just about hear collectors in unison shouting 651. Possibly Joe would say that that is not a recent hoard, well then scream 691 (or 701). The term hoard has not often been used with these notes, but there can be no doubt that it was a hoard. Perhaps it was the hoard heard around the world, but a hoard nonetheless. One matter of clarrification from yesterday's gram. The letter about world numismatics and "what is it worth" was from Howard Daniel. I could claim that it was a test to see if anyone was reading. It that were true, the test was a success, but it was simply an error. Once again, we might need to look for a new editor! =================================================== Mail Call --------------------------------------------------- Dear Editor, Figured I'd better tell you that I cannot make the fest this year. Yeh, I did spend all my money in New Zealand. I will begin planning for the next year though. I feel bad about that. It would be great to put names & faces and stories together. I will have to deal with delayed gratification expectations. Now a question. I picked up some Series 100 'A' MPC/AMC that I want to be rid of. ALL of the items have some minor problems that should reduce their value. Yet, they are all basically in VF or better condition (IMHO) not counting the problems. How does one go about pricing or listing them for sale? E-bay is not my thing and there are few I know here who would be interested. I thought it might be something to toss up at the Gram Group. Further complicated as I presently do not have scanning capabilities. Would appreciate your advice. Rusty Dear Rusty, We will put you down for Fest III (but you had better remind us in about 10 months). We can run your notes in the gram based upon the information that you gave us. Just give the word. Editor I disagree that scholarship application essays should be published in the gram. As for the committee, I can serve on it. What I don't want is disgruntled applicants saying "look, my rationale was better than his, and he got selected--that looks like favoritism." It's going ot be hard enough already to avoid being tarred with THAT brush. Joe B Dear Gram, I went down to the Collectorama Show in Lakeland, Florida today. Sadly, not a decent MPC Note for sale in the house. A sharp contrast to the last Collectorama, where I took home over twelve notes. Between the new book and the gram I know you are busy. I don't know how you do it, but I am glad you do. Since I am unable to attend the Fest, please put me down for some Fest money, and if you have any left over from the first Fest, I would like a set as well. Thanks... James =================================================== 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 2/2/01. These folks have generously provided money or material to finance scholarships to the ANA WWII Numismatics seminar. Your contributions will help promote collecting WWII material and be greatly appreciated. Mr. Anonymous Donor Mike Cummings Sue and Keith Bauman Ed B. Doug Bell R. A. Medina Harold MPCKid Kroll Leo "Paymaster" May Mrs. R.C. Matherne Bill McNease 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. Confirmed participants in MPC Fest II Doug Bell Sam Feeback$$ Al Glaser$$ Phil Goldstein Rod Hardy$ Wesley Hardy$ Harold Kroll Jack Lippincott$$ Ian Marshall Larry Smulczenski Bill McNease$$ (PayPal works!) Leo May Kevin Maloy$$ Marv Mericle$ Bruce Potter$$ David Seelye$$ Nick Schrier$$ Fred Schwan?? Dan Swartz$$ Warner Talso (and Jane)$ Marcus Turner$ William E Yanchick$ (We are well past last year's participation level. We will certainly double that level. Can we triple it, more? Symbols after the name: $=deposit paid, $$-paid in full) If you have made a reservation and your name does not appear above, please contact the gram immediately (MPCgram@yahoo.com). PayPal and PayDirect are available, the associated email address is fred@papermoneyworld.com. It works great. We love it. Tentative schedule as of 15 January 2001 Friday March 8 1500-1900 Arrivals at Comfort Inn 1900-2030 no host dinner at Cisco and Charlies 2030-2300 bull session at Comfort Inn 2400 lights out Saturday breakfast at Comfort Inn 0730-0845 breakfast at Service Club 0900-1000 equipment issue (supply sergeant) 1000-1100 pay operations (pay master) 1100-1230 show and tell, session I 1230-1330 pizza party at Service Club (mess sergeant) 1330-1800 swap session (dealer surcharge, TBD) 1800-1930 spaghetti dinner at Service Club (mess sergeant) 1930-2030 secret operations 2000-2345 commemorative poker game at Comfort Inn 2200 MPC chat (simultaneous with poker game) 2400 lights out Sunday 0830-0900 breakfast at Service Club 0900-1000 research updates 1000-1230 show and tell 1230-1330 lunch at Service Club 1300-1500 field trip to WWII POW camp 1530 closing ceremonies Monday (optional, weather permitting) 0600-0630 breakfast at Service Club 0700-1400 Walleye fishing trip Remarks: registration is $139 per person (for reservations after February 15 $164, after March 1, $189). This includes two nights lodging (double occupancy, room assignments by first sergeant the only possible exception is married couples), Meals as indicated (Friday evening not included), equipment and amenities. The value of souvenirs and goodies distributed will likely exceed the cost of the entire Fest. Reservations accepted now at MPCGram@yahoo.com, deposits ($50 minimum) accepted at MPC Fest, 132 East Second Street, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452. Confirmed reservations will be listed daily in the gram—make your reservations now! Additional information; the Comfort Inn is located at 1723 East Perry Street, Port Clinton, Oh 43452, you may use one of the online map services to get exact driving directions. DO NOT make your own reservations or inquiries. The best airports in order of distance are Toledo (45 mins), Cleveland (90 mins), Detroit (100 mins). We will try to coordinate ground transportation, but there are no guarantees here. Questions: send your questions to MPCgram@yahoo.com. In most cases the questions will be answered in the letters section of the gram. After all, if you have the question, someone else probably does too. ==================================================== 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. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/