Status: U Return-Path: Received: from web12703.mail.yahoo.com ([216.136.173.240]) by strange.mail.mindspring.net (Earthlink Mail Service) with SMTP id tqinb2.n7p.37kbi0u for ; Wed, 19 Sep 2001 23:07:13 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <20010920030713.11049.qmail@web12703.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [205.188.192.158] by web12703.mail.yahoo.com via HTTP; Wed, 19 Sep 2001 20:07:13 PDT Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2001 20:07:13 -0700 (PDT) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 438/3 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 438 Wednesday, September 19, 2001 Some new propaganda Banknotes by Herbert A. Friedman I have written no less than eighteen International Banknote Society Journal articles reporting on the use of banknotes or currency facsimiles to carry propaganda. Banknotes have always been a popular media for such messages since they immediately attract the eye, and finders will almost always pick them up off the ground. It is a way for the propagandist to be sure that his message will be read. In addition, banknote propaganda can be easily hidden in a wallet to be read or used at a later and more convenient time. In recent years there have been many new items produced for political purposes. In addition, there are some changes and additions to items that we have mentioned in the past. The first of two similar items I will mention is timely in that it offered a reward for Slobodan Milosevic, who led Serbia and Yugoslavia for thirteen years. Milosevic had claimed that he would never surrender, but was arrested on April 1, 2001 after pressure was brought on the Yugoslav government to either arrest him or face the loss of 50-million dollars in United States aid. The two items in question were prepared for use in the Balkans after the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo. In early 1992 the Serbs began a process of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia. Radovan Karadzic was held responsible for the attack as President of the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) in Bosnia. General Ratko Mladic was the commander of the Serbian troops in Bosnia. Numerous crimes against humanity were committed, the most serious being the murder of 6,000 civilians in the town of Srebrenica. In July of 1995 the U. N. Security Council International Criminal Tribunal indicted both for genocide. In early 1999 the Serbs again seemed intent on purifying their lands of all foreign ethnic groups. Television reports told of thousands of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo being persecuted, raped, or murdered. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) demanded full compliance with UN Resolution 1199 of September 23, 1998. The resolution called for all parties to cease hostilities. The Kosovo separatists agreed to a cease-fire, but the government of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic refused. NATO unanimously agreed to initiate air strikes. On June 10, 1999, NATO suspended the air campaign following confirmation that the full of withdrawal of Serbian Security forces from Kosovo had begun. In late 1995 Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic was indicted for gross violations of humanitarian law. After discussions on the possibility of having the three men turned over to NATO were deemed unsuccessful, the U.S. State Department prepared United States $50 banknote facsimiles with reward offers in the Russian and the Bosnian languages. The first banknote is an enlarged replica of a $50 United States Federal reserve Note, Series 1996 (P-502). The front of the leaflet shows a U.S. $50 bill at the left. Beneath the United States Federal Reserves System seal are printed the words “Russian” or “Bosnian.” On the right side of the note is the text “Up to $5 Million Reward – Wanted – For crimes against humanity – For genocide and crimes against humanity.” Three photographs are shown in full color and the men are identified as “Slobodan Milosevic, President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,” “Radovan Karadzic,” and “Ratko Mladic.” Text on the back of the leaflet says “Milosevic, Karadzic, and Mladic have been indicted by the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for crimes against humanity, including murders and rapes of thousands of innocent civilians, torture, hostage-taking of peacekeepers, wanton destruction of private property, and the destruction of sacred places. Mladic and Karadzic also have been indicted for genocide. To bring Milosevic, Karadzic and Mladic to justice, the United States Government is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to, or conviction by, the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia of any of these individuals or any other person indicted by the International Tribunal. If you believe you have information, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or write to the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service at REWARDS FOR JUSTICE.” The leaflet was prepared with a double fold so that only the banknote portion could be seen. Anyone seeing such an item on the ground would be sure to pick it up. The second item is similar except that on the front instead of the picture of the three wanted men there is a photograph of a dead woman with a crying child nearby. The text reads “This is a crime…against all humanity.” Text in the back reads “Since 1991, thousands of residents of the former Yugoslavia have been murdered, raped, tortured or imprisoned. The victims of these crimes against humanity deserve justice. Many of these crimes are serious violations of international humanitarian law, and many of the people who committed them are subjects of criminal indictments by the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. To being to justice those who have been indicted for these crimes, the United States Government is offering a reward for information. Individuals who furnish information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of a war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal, may be eligible for a reward of up to $5 million, protection of their identities, and relocation of their families. A reward may also be paid for information leading to the transfer to, or conviction by, the International Criminal Tribunal of an indicted war criminal. If you believe that you have information, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or write the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service …UP TO $5 MILLION REWARD – ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY.” Currency has also been used to offer rewards for terrorists. In February of 2000 the United States Government prepared matchboxes in Pakistan with a picture of the Saudi Arabian exile Osama Bin Laden. The offer was actually for $5 million dollars, though the Urdu-language message mistakenly offered $500,000. Bin Laden had been accused of masterminding the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in 1998. Soon after the appearance of the matchboxes, a limited number of genuine Pakistan 100-rupee notes (Possibly P-45) were circulated overprinted with both a Dari-language and a Pashtu-language message that offered a $5 million reward for Bin Laden’s arrest. The State Department has denied overprinting the banknotes, so if true, the operation may be the work of another more clandestine organization. The banknotes were mostly disseminated in Peshawar, a frontier city on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Banknotes have also been used to foster free trade. A propaganda leaflet was prepared for use in Bosnia, probably by the United States Army, modeled on the Yugoslavia 20 Novih Dinara note of 1994 (P-150) showing the poet Djuro Jaksic (1832-1878) at left and, in the leaflet, an appeal in behalf of free markets covering the right portion of the note. The front and back of the leaflet are similar with the message in Bosnian on one side and English on the other. The message is “In Business…More customers equal more sales for suppliers and more competition equals lower cost for consumers. How can you influence the market? Encourage freedom of movement. It makes economic sense.” This note would seem to be aimed at returning the Balkans to normalcy after the decade of strife and ethnic warfare. In 1991 and 1994 I wrote articles for the IBNS Journal on propaganda banknotes prepared by the United States for use against the forces of Saddam Hussein. At that time I illustrated two small banknotes that were not mentioned in the official 4th PSYOP Group list of items prepared and disseminated. I stated at that time that these smaller banknote leaflets might be CIA products. We still are not sure who produced them. We just know that they were in Iraq by 1993. It is generally believed that they may have been produced by a clandestine organization, probably working in early to mid-1992 with the Shiite Moslems in the south and the Kurdish minority in the north to weaken Saddam Hussein’s hold on the country. Three additional banknotes from this series have been discovered over the past few years, usually quietly sold by former intelligence agents. All show the exact same front, the Iraq 25 dinars Central Bank of Iraq note of 1986 (P-73), in full color on thin white paper. The backs show cartoons in black. The parodies measure 152x76 mm, whereas the genuine note measures 178x81 mm. The three new vignettes are as follows. The first shows Saddam lighting a cigar with a map of Kuwait and holding a glass of what appears to be champagne. There is Arabic text that states “I can live for 20 years.” The second vignette shows a nearly empty grocery store, with a large roll of Iraqi banknotes possibly being used as wrapping paper. I have also seen the items identified as worthless ration coupons or toilet paper, so there might be more than one meaning. The Arabic text says, “At least it has value now.” The final banknote has a more questionable message. The back shows the front page of an Arabic newspaper “The Green March,” with black bars top and bottom framing a cartoon of Saddam throwing Kuwait into the fires of war. The bottom black bar contains in large text “The Butcher of Baghdad.” Small text beneath the masthead is “Social Weekly Newspaper produced by the Revolutionary Committee.” This may have been a political cartoon copied from an earlier time because at the lower left of the drawing is what appears to be a signature in Arabic and the year “1986.” Before we leave the Persian Gulf I should mention that the first and second series of banknote propaganda contained six and four notes. We only know of five notes from this third series, and since tradition seems to call for even numbers, there is a good chance that there is at least one banknote leaflet that is still to be discovered. With the fall of the Soviet Union new items are slowly being found as specialists and researchers search through the archives and sell items for hard currency. Recently a Russian parody of a German 50 Reichspfennig Reichskreditkassen of 1939 (P-R135) was discovered with a safe conduct pass for German troops on the back. The front of the 88x56-mm parody is a reproduction of the front of the genuine note in green. The paper is brownish (possibly from age). The back contains black text. Cyrillic text at the top reads “Pass across the front.” Similar text at the bottom reads “Command of the Red Army.” The interior of the back of the note contains the German text “Go through the front with this safe conduct pass / German soldiers! All of you who come over to the Red Army are guaranteed life, good treatment, and a homecoming at the end of the war / High Command of the Red Army.” These “Reich’s Credit Treasury Notes” were legal tender alongside the local currency in numerous occupied territories during WWII. They were first used in Poland in 1939; later they were widely used across occupied Europe, including the USSR. German soldiers received their pay in Reichskreditkassen, which was legal tender only in the occupied area and had to be spent there. The exchange rate was usually the same as the pre-invasion rate between the reichsmark and the local currency. Reichskreditkassen had no value upon a soldier’s return to Germany. There is no doubt that many more propaganda banknotes are being prepared even as we speak. Readers with interest about or information on this subject are invited to write to Herbert A. Friedman, 734 Sunrise Avenue, Bellmore NY 11710. ============================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------- In a letter below, Bob, tells us that he is forwarding printed copies of the Gram to a fewllow collector. That fellow collector (Angus) is well known to us. Indeed, Bob mentions this situation because we had mentioned Angus in a Gram. The point that we want to make is that everyone can receive thier own Gram simply by asking. Specfically, even collectors who do not have a computer nor know anything about them can receive thier daily gram. Virtually every public library offers internet access and at least minimum help/orientation thereto. Even better, ask a computer using friend to take you and hold your hand the first time. Angus (and all other noncomputer using collectors), please go to your library and establish an email account. They too are FREE. Check the mail one a week. You will be glad that you did. We will be glad too. ============================================== Mail Call ----------------------------------------------- Dear Gram I am needing a Series 481 (3rd printing) in CU condition..... name witheld Dear Gram, Pleased be advised that Angus Bruce is receiving copies of the MPCGrams via Snail Mail. I run off copies of most of them and he is delighted to get them, always writes back with a comment. He is not only an all time military money collector, he's also a great guy and always ready to share info. I too was at the Los Angles show, was living in Oakhurst, near Yosemite Park, and flew in for a couple of days. Lots of good folks there, and I believe we met there also. All for now gotta run and get this issue out to Angus! Best Regards and Thanks again for your efforts, Bob Dear Editor, Are you continuing the show calendar or should we stop? Thanks, John and Nancy ================================================ Departments ------------------------------------------------- Calendar of events for Gramsters maintained by Howard Daniel, Nancy and John Wilson and Gram staff, last updated September 7, 2001 show reports are requested on all events. Even if it was not a great show, there must be something to report. What and whom did you see? Market activity? Share your observations and thoughts with Gramsters everywhere. ---------------------------------------------------- September 21 - 23, 2001, Paul Padget's 18th Annual Greater Cincinnati Numismatic Exposition, Sharonville Convention Center, Small Auction by Paul Padget and major paper money auction by Currency Auctions of America contact Paul Padget at (513) 821-2143 September 21 - 23, 2001, Virginia Numismatic Association, 43rd Annual Coin Show, Northern Virginia Community College Ernst Center, Annandale, VA September 21 - 23, 2001, Bick International Expos (www.bick.net) River Palms Hotel Casino, Glendale, CA September 27 - 30, 2001, North East Ohio Coin Club, 41st Annual Show, 100 Tables, Holiday Inn, Route 82 At I-71, Strongville, OH Phillips Auction October 4, 2001 October 5-6. 2001Remy Bourne Literature Auction featuring selections from the Katen library. Contact Remy at 1/800789-7005 for information October 4 - 7, 2001, long Beach Coin and Collectible Expo Long Beach California Convention Center, 400 booths, Educational Programs, Auctions by Heritage and Ponterio Spink Auction October 5, 2001 World Paper Money Fair, run by London Chapter of IBNS, October 6/7, 2001 October 12-14, 2001, MOON 39th Annual Convention Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, MN Contact Jay Darby E-mail darb1001@aol.com October 12-14, 2001, Collectorama Coin and Currency Show, Lakeland Florida Civic Center, 200 tables, Contact Ed Kuszmar, E-mail collectoramashow@aol.com October 26-28, 2001, 23rd PAN Convention, Pittsburgh Expomart, Monroeville, PA., 140+ tables, Contact John Paul Sarosi (814) 535-5766 November 1-4, 2001, Denver Coin Expo, National Western Expo Hall, Contact Jerry Morgan, (719) 275-0585 November 8-11, 2001, Bay State Coin Show, Radisson Hotel, Boston, MA Contact Ed Aleo (781) 729-9677 November 9-11, 2001, HSNA 38th Annual Coin Show, Queen Kapiolani Hotel, Honolulu, HI Contact Marion Kendrick tel/fax (808) 486-4766 November 9-11, 2001, Tennessee State Numismatic Society Camp Jordan Arena, Chattanooga, TN 100+ tables, Contact Gayle Pike, E-mail pikegw@aol.com November 16-18, 2001, Ohio Coin Expo, Cleveland, OH Holiday Inn, Contact Ron Nelson E-mail ronald-nelson@worldnet.att.net November 15-18, 2001, Santa Clara C, S & C Show, Santa Clara CA convention Center, 300 Tables, Heritage Signature Sale, Contact Rudy Christians (530) 528-8329 My London Paper Money Fairs are: November 18, 2001 November 22 - November 25, 2001, MSNS 46th Fall Convention, Hyatt Regency Hotel Fairlane Town Center, Dearborn, MI., 150+ tables, Educational Programs, Exhibits with great awards including an adult and jr. ANA Summer Seminar Scholarship for BIS's for each one. contact Don Charters (734) 721-4991 or E-mail Tom Klunzinger teklunzinger@yahoo.com November 29 - December 2, 2001, Suburban Washington Baltimore Fall Coin & Currency Convention, Baltimore Convention Center B & M and Presidential Auctions Contact Ed Kuszmar, E-mail collectoramashow@aol.com Important 2002 events CPMX, Chicago Feb 28- Mar 3, 2002 - Contact Kevin Foley, Chairman, Lyn Knight auction of Leo May collection, Educational Programs, 100+ tables, Chicago - Rosemont, IL Holiday Inn, February 28-March 3, 2002 ANA spring show, Jacksonville, FL, 7-9 March 2002. EXHIBIT APPLICATION DEADLINE 11 FEB 2002. Joe Boling, John and Nancy Wilson confirmed in attendance MPCFest III, Port Clinton, Ohio March 2002 27 CICF, April 4-7, 2002, Holiday Inn O'Hare, Rosemont, IL., 100+ tables, Educational Programs, Major auction including foreign paper by Ponterio & Associates, Inc. 1/800/854-2888 and Literature Sale by Remy Bourne, 1/800-789-7005 Contact Kevin Foley, (414) 421-3484 WWII numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July, 2002 ANA summer show, New York City, 30 July-4 August 2002. EXHIBIT APPLICATION DEAD LINE 3 JUN 2002. March 2002 8-10 - MPCFest III - reservations in order received: Guido Crapanzano, Harold Kroll, Larry Smulczenski, Gary "Got any fours" Hicks, Tom Warburton, David Seelye, Jack Lippincot, Phil Goldstein, Warner Talso, Nich Schrier, Tom Koch, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Fred Schwan {running total 14}] W.W.II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002 Session I (Sunday, June 30 through Thursday, July 4, 2002) Session II (Sunday, July 7 through Thursday, July 11, 2002) March 2002 8-10 - MPCFest III [reservations in order received: Guido Crapanzano, Harold Kroll, Larry Smulczenski, Gary "Got any fours" Hicks, Tom Warburton, David Seelye, Jack Lippincot, Phil Goldstein, Warner Talso, Nich Schrier, Tom Koch, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Doug Bell, Fred Schwan {running total 15}] --------------------------------------------------- Donations are now being accepted for scholarships to the 2002 "Military Money" course at the 2002 ANA Summer Seminar. Inquiries and donations should be sent to: Military Numismatists c/o Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, IN 46123 Donors to 2002 Scholarship Fund Steve Feller Harold Kroll R. A. Medina Guido Crapanzano David Seelye Steve Feller Harold Kroll R. A. Medina Guido Crapanzano David Seelye Leo May Warner Talso Marv Mericle Mark Watson ==================================================== 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. FOR SALE Series 661 $5.00 GEM Crisp Unc $25.00 insured postpaid. Series 481 $0.25 1st printing Crisp UNC $60.00 insured postpaid. coinman@rochester.rr.com WANTED 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 or sale in the above section. This is a trial, if you like it, send your list. =================================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - MPCGram@Yahoo.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com distribution manager - Brad Peacock bp22@swbell.net Tuesday columnist Joe Boling – JoeBoling@aol.com Thurski columnist Larry “Ski” Smulczenski –skifla@prodigy.net critic: Harold Kroll - MPCKid@AOL.com; index manager: Ed Beaman webmaster & technical advisor: Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.net; 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. __________________________________________________ Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help? Donate cash, emergency relief information http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Emergency_Information/