==============================================

MPC Gram

==============================================

Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics

----------------------------------------------

Series 003-Number 560, Tuesday/Wednesday, February 19-20, 2002

Early Experiences with MPC

By Joe Boling

I thought I had written about my childhood uses of MPC for the gram, but I cannot find it anywhere in my submissions, so I'll say something about that today. If you've heard it before, I don't know where it would have been. I went to Morocco in late 1953 as a sixth-grader. We were using series 481 when I arrived. The exchange rate for Moroccan francs was 360 to the dollar--exactly the same rate as for yen in Japan at the time. I have always wondered if there could have been any connection between the setting of the two rates on opposite sides of the world.

A better rate was available in Tangier, so just after every payday (once a month) the finance officer on base gathered up dollars from the servicemen who had to make large payments in francs (those living off post with rent to pay), and took it to Tangier to exchange for francs (I don't know what the rate was there, but it was sufficiently favorable to warrant making the trip). I have always believed that the trip was made by Air Force plane, but I don't know for sure--it could have been by train.

The trip was called "the floose run," based on a Moroccan word for money. I expect it is related to "falus," the pre-French "monetaire" for Moroccan coinage. Now, what did the finance officer take to Tangier? If it was MPC, there had to be some slender legitimacy to the transaction (else I can't see it being done the way it was). If it was greenbacks, then there was some sort of exemption that allowed for use of green outside the country where the troops were. Anyone out there know an AF finance officer from mid-50s Morocco who might know something about monthly activity? Aside to Bill Murray, how about in your retirement community?

I remember Dad showing me a 5c 481 note raised to 50c with a ball point pen. Since he was an OSI agent (Office of Special Investigations), he probably had it as part of an investigation. I remember being struck by how easy it would be to change a note that way, because of the uniformity of the colors in series 481. During our tour in Morocco the MPC was exchanged for series 521. I remember the event, but not the details--just that Dad had to come home (27 miles each way), gather up the MPC that was there, and return to the base to exchange it. I never had the feeling that there was any particularly rigorous control of the movement of the members with families. I don't know about the unmarried airmen on base who might have been tempted to bring in MPC from the economy.

We returned to the States in September 1955 and were in LA until August 1957. At that time, we went to Itazuke Air Base, Japan. Surprise--series 521 was still in use. While there we converted to series 541; again, Dad was able to come home (several miles off base) and get the notes that we had there. As mentioned above, the exchange rate for yen was 360/dollar. The only thing I can recall specifically about the MPC is the miscut piece that I collected there--a 541-10c note with a diagonally cut bottom. Part of the note below shows. I received that note in change in the Green Wave Cafe just off the main parade ground. I immediately recognized it as special, and put it into my shirt pocket unfolded instead of into my wallet. Recall that Fred has written previously about the quality control problems with series 541; my piece supports that. We were still using series 541 when we left in August 1960. I used series 641 and 661 in Vietnam, but I have already written about that. My apologies to those of you who asked me to get the Mafeking book for you in December. I apparently forgot to place the order, and now cannot find the catalog.

Draft MPC Week Schedule Released

==============================================

Editorial

----------------------------------------------

Sorry about no Gram yesterday. Before we knew it, the day was over. Funny how that happens! This is the dreaded double issue! Do not worry, we are not cheating you, your subscription is being extended by not one, but two issues!

Russ Walsh gave us a surprise and set some sort of Fest record. When we opened email today, we found notice from PayPal that Russ Walsh had paid for the Fest. He is certainly the first person who has ever paid for the Fest before reserving a spot. At least we did not have him on the list! Welcome Russ.

This edition includes a lot of information on the Fest. Most of it is in draft form. We need and want your feedback on these matters.

Festers, we must have a hometown that you want listed on documents (tee shirts and things like that). Please send us the hometown that you prefer.

=============================================

Mail Call

----------------------------------------------

Dear Gram,

I have a comment on Howard Daniel's Bonus Bucks. I know that Ft Meade, Andrews AFB and Bolling AFB Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Exchange issued the Bonus Bucks at least in 1997 and 1998. I saw denominations of $1, $5, and $10 although there may have been a $20. They were issued in the 30days prior to Christmas based on the amount you spent--issued obviously as an enticement to spend more $$. As I remember, if you spent $10, you received a Bonus Buck for $1, ie, a 10% payback. You could then use the Bonus Bucks for purchases, I believe, up to the end of January the following year. Not all were redeemed, so I am sure so Army Air Force Exchange Service made out on the transactions.

Thanks, Ray Czahor

Dear Esteemed Editor,

I must have missed something because I am reading about Researcher and Collector Editions of the next MPC book edition and do not know what they are writing about. Please write again about them so I might order one too. That is if it is within my budget.

Howard A. Daniel III

Dear Editor,
I was wondering when we needed to send our deposit for Fest III. I don't remember reading anything about it in the Grams and I'm sure that we had to have sent our deposit in for Fest II by this time last year. Did I miss it in one of the Grams?

W. E. Yanchick

Dear Fester,

The pay window is now open. Thanks at least in part to your prodding we are now accepting Fest payments. You should have found more info than you could possibly use in the past few grams. Just in case: send $149 via paypal to fredschwan@yahoo.com.

Editor

Dear Editor,

I loved Ski’s Valentines Day article. Until I read that I thought that the only people who could make stretches like that were our steamed editor, me, and the US Olympic hockey team goalie.

C. Tolek

Dear Editor,

Today at 20:02 "military" time, the time and date will be 2002.2002.2002, the most unique date in the history - if you write the date before the month as most of the world does. For us Military Payment Certificates nuts, it's some thing to celebrate. It is a four-repeated and all radar, and every set of the repeated number is a radar itself. The last time this occurred was 10:01 on January 10th, 1001, making it 1001.1001.1001. There will not be another of this date ever, ever. Does any one out there have a note of any kind that coordinates with this type of event?

Best regards,

Trung T. Nguyen, P.E.

Dear Nguyen,

Wow, this is bad. Everyone is getting as sick as I am! A few days ago I was thinking about swims notes. You will recall that these are notes where the serial number reads the same in the correct position and if held upside down.

The first MPC flipper known was the famous one from the Elmer Smith collection H00069000 (yes a replacement). As a kid collecting coins in 1969, I was intrigued that the date was a flipper. I recall discussing this with my brother and another kid in the neighborhood. We concluded that the swims (did not know what to call it) date was 1881.

Well another swims was found (reported in the Gram at the time). It is serial number 00196100 which of course is how I thought of all of this. The interesting question is, when is the next swims year? I think that it is not until 6009! If I am missing something, I am sure that someone will let me know!

Editor

Dear Editor:

I just noticed that you have a 5 pfhennig Oranienburg concentration camp note on page 496 of WW2 Remembered #1061 listed as "blue." It is actually green. I will put mine on Ebay tonight.

Best regards,

Dennis (Do you ever respond to E-mails?) What address should I send your documents to?

Dennis O'Neill

==============================================

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.

----------------------------------------------------

Special "MPC" events

March 2002 8-10 - MPCFest III –

Fest II Company Roster

Name Fests MPC events hometown

Bell, Doug 3 3

Bows, Ray 1 1

Chambliss, Carlson 1 1

Cummings, Mike 1 1

Feeback, Sam 2 3

Frey, Ed 1 1

Freyser, Richard 2 2

Glaser, Al$$ 2 2

Goldstein, Phil 3 3

Hardy, Wes 2 2

Hardy, Rod 2 2

Hicks, Gary 2 2

Koch, Tom 1 1

Kroll, Harold 3 4

Lippincot, Jack 2 2 Fargo, ND

Maloy, Kevin 3 4

Marshall, Ian 2 2

McNease, Bill 2 2

Mericle, Marv 3 3

Potter, Bruce 2 2

Ryanwood, Gene 1 1

Schrier, Nick 3 3

Schwan, Fred 3 4 Port Clinton, OH

Seelye, David 2 2

Smith, Elmer 2 2 Berne, IN

Smulczenski, Larry 3 3

Talso, Warner 2 3

Turner, Marcus 3 3

Walsh, Russ$$ 1 1

Watson, Mark$$ 1 2

Yanchick, Bill 2 3

[Fest reservations for Fest IV: Guido Crapanzano, Tom Warburton, Harold Kroll, Fred Schwan]

Fest registration is $149 including lodging, meals, activities, and assorted goodies. Single occupancy is available for an additional $50. Payments may be sent via snail mail to MPCFest/Fred Schwan, 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452 or (preferred except for credit card payment) via paypal using email address fredschwan@yahoo.com. Thank you very much.

Three airports are reasonably available for the Fest. In order of proximity they are:

Toledo

Cleveland

Detroit (Metro)

All three are reasonable. If you can arrive early enough AND coordinate it well ahead, every attempt will be made to pick you up at the airport to save on rental cars. Festers are encouraged to coordinate among themselves for rides. We will also run notices in the Gram and, finally, we will try to coordinate for Festers to run pickups from Fest central.

June 29 to July 5

W.W.II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002

Session I (June 29 through July 5, 2002)

Session II (Sunday, July 7 through Thursday, July 11, 2002)

general events will return

---------------------------------------------------

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 maturner@indy.rr.com

or

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

Leo May

Warner Talso

Marv Mericle

Mark Watson

Gail Baker

Joel Shafer

Ed Hoffman

Howard A. Daniel, III

Keith and Sue Bauman

====================================================

Hot Contact 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. They have supported the new Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates with their advertising. They deserve your support and patronage.

Secondly, this is a draft from the book that participating dealers should check for correctness. Finally, dealers who are not on it and want to can still get their ads in if they act promptly. Respond to this email or call (419) 732-6683.

We are sorry if the format is a little messed up here in the Gram, we are not sure of how to fix it!

Hot Contact List

Dealers and resources for collectors

Name/phone/fax/email

Allens (614) 882-3937 (614) 882-0662 info@allens.com

American Coins & Collectibles (800) 865-3562

American Numismatic Association (800) 367-9723 ana@money.org

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 RJBalbaton@AOL.com

Keith and Suzanne Bauman (248) 262-1514 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 cjc-pi@home.com

Guido Crapanzano [39] 2-8056228 [39] 2-4459856

Currency Dealer Newsletter (310) 515-7369

David F. Cieniewicz (205) 852-7015

Currency Grading & Certification (602) 493-4758 (602) 494-9103 sales@gradedcurrency.com

Cygnet Charters (419) 734-2422

Ray Czahor (301) 604-9225 cjcpi@comcast.net

Doric Coins & Currency (508) 699-2266 (508) 643-1154

FUN (407) 321-8747

Phil Goldstein (845) 254-MPC1 (6721) IWANTMYMPC@AOL.COM

Great Lakes Bank Note Company (800) 793-0683

David Cieniewicz (256) 852-7015

Mike Cummings (863) 603-9899 (863) 603-9880 mpccoin@hotmail.com

Great Lakes Bank Note Company (419) 732-6683

International Bank Note Society joeboling@aol.com

Essie kashani (909) 627-3996 (909) 627-2776 kashani10@aol.com

Great Lakes Bank Note Company (419) 732-6683

Lowel Horwdel (765) 583-2748 765 583-4584 horwdel@inshightbb.com

Lyn Knight (800) 243-5211

Krause Publications (715) 445-2214 (715) 445-4087 bnr@krause.com

Harold Kroll (251) 649-5134 HARBONS@AOL.com

Leo May (305) 271-8391 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

Bob Reed (504) 361-5684

Fred Schwan (419) 732-6683

David Seelye (585) 594-1987 (585) 594-2311

R. M. Smythe (800) 622-1880 (212) 908-4047

Military Trader (800) 334-7165

Fred Schwan (419) 732-6683 (419) 732-6683 FredSchwan@Yahoo.com

Richie Self (318) 868-9077

Mel Steinberg & Son (415) 453-9750 (415) 457-4432 melsteinberg@mindspring.com

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 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

Your advertisement of material for sale (related to military money collecting) will be accepted for this section at no charge as a public service.

Fourth edition Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates by Fred Schwan shipping about March 5. Order yours now.

Standard edition (400 pages!) $50

Collectors’s Edition (432 pages!) $95

Researchers’ Edition (432 page, 46 produced, limited to availability) $125

All orders plus $4 shipping per order (NOT per book). Send snail mail payment to BNR Press, 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452 or PayPay using email fredschwan@yahoo.com.

MPC for sale:

Series 472 25 Cents 1st Printing F-VF 13.50

Series 472 25 Cents 1st printing VF 17.50

Series 472 25 Cents 1st printing VF+ 23.50

Series 472 25 Cents 1st printing EF 40.00

Series 472 25 Cents 1st Printing A.UNC 100.00

Series 472 25 Cents 1st Printing CHOICE UNC 225.00

Series 472 25 Cents 2nd Printing gr VF 25.00

Series 472 25 Cents 2nd Printing VF 47.50

Series 472 25 Cents 2nd Printing EF 100.00

Series 472 25 Cents 2nd Printing GEM UNC 425.00

Series 472 50 Cents 1st Printing F 13.75

Series 472 50 Cents 1st printing F-VF 18.00

Series 472 50 Cents 1st Printing EF 75.00

Series 472 50 Cents 1st Printing A.UNC 135.00

Series 472 50 Cents 1st Printing A.UNC-UNC 180.00

Series 472 50 Cents 1st Printing CHOICE UNC 265.00

Please confirm at 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.

Collector wants 481 .25 center, VF position # 1, if you have one for sale, advertise it in the Gram

===================================================

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 – ski@prodigy.net

critic: Harold Kroll – HARBONS@aol.com

scholarship coordinator – Marcus Turner maturner@indy.rr.com

fact checker: Warner Talso

index manager: Ed Beaman

webmaster & technical advisor -- Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.net

The Boss: Judy Schwan