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MPC Gram
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Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics
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Series 003-Number 563, Sunday, 24, 2002
MPC Legal and Organizational Responsibilities
Second Report
By Warner Talso
Recall that Fred, The Delegator, assigned me the task of researching the legal and organizational history of MPC. The first report was published in the MPC Gram, Series 002, Number 404, Wednesday, July 25, 2001. This was summary of the current legal status and some unanswered questions. For example, current DoD Directives state that there will be two issues of MPC in reserve for use if necessary. Is this still true? I asked the curator of the Army Finance Museum for help and he queried his contacts in DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Service - the DoD successor to the Army Finance Center). As an update, there has been no word back from DFAS.
For this second report I will go back to the genesis of MPC. The Secretary of the Treasury, Fred M. Vinson, proposed using MPC in a letter dated February 8, 1946. His primary concern seemed to be protecting the dollar reserves. He cites other correspondence dating back to October 17, 1945, indicating that there had been considerable discussion about financing American Armed Forces overseas after the war. He also seemed to be preoccupied with the suspicion that some GIs were making "small fortunes" on the black market. As I understand it, this letter will be reproduced in the next issue of the "Comprehensive Catalog of MPC." This is as far back as I can find record of MPC.
Logically, the War Department and the Treasury announced the plans for MPC to all financial institutions. As part of this, the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago wrote a letter to all Banks in the Seventh Federal Reserve District on December 20, 1946, advising of a War Department announcement adopting MPC on September 17, 1946. (This is a one day difference from that reported in Fred's book.) The purpose of the letter seems to be to advise all banks of this new instrument and that MPC was not to be accepted or exchanged under any circumstances. The letter advises that MPC will be the sole medium of exchange in Army establishments overseas and lists the countries. Of interest is that the countries include the following that are listed in Fred's book as unconfirmed: Algeria, Denmark, Egypt, French West Africa (Senegal), Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Apparently there was at least thought of introducing MPC in these countries. It would be interesting to know what happened. Someone hand-wrote "Note: Later used in the Philippine Islands" on the letter. This had to be prior to 1965 when the letter was reproduced.
The letter goes on to describe the notes and the denominations to be issued. It ends with an admonition in capital letters that "MPC WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR EXCHANGED FOR ANY OTHER HOLDERS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BY ANY OFFICIAL AGENCY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
The letter is signed by G.A. Young, President.
The above letter is reproduced in "World War II Allied Military Currency", by Raymond Toy, Second Edition, 1965. It has been scanned and can be viewed at w
ww.papermoneyworld.net/mpcgram/warner.htm
Cold War Recognition Certificate
by Howard A. Daniel III
Since April 5, 1999, there has been a certificate available to all military and government employees to recognize their service during the Cold War. The Cold War dates are September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991. That first date looks like the surrender date of the Japanese at the end of World War II. The certificate is signed by the Secretary of Defense and is reported to be high quality printing on high quality paper. I have not yet applied for copies for my wife (she was a U.S. government employee) and myself, but will do it soon.
You can mail a copy of any official government or military document with the recipient's name, Social Security Number/Military Service Number/Foreign Service Number and date of service to: Cold War Recognition, 4035 Ridge Top Road, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22030. Their fax telephone number is 703-275-6279 and their web site is at
http://sdcw.army.mil/coldwar. I notice that the site is an Army site and do not know if the other services also have their individual web sites. For some of you old guys and gals out there who served during the Cold War, this might be the first pat on the back for your service, so I would recommend applying for this certificate so you will have something to show the grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc.==============================================
Editorial
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Sending Gram 563 was a journey! For some of you, it was the Friday Gram, for others it was Saturday. Some of the mail just would not go out on Friday. I spent a huge amount of time trying to make the system work, but it refused. On Saturday I went to a (sortta) nearby university and used a secret access to a computer lab to send out the rest of the Grams. It worked fine from there! What will today bring? That is certainly a question. I hope that you received your Gram on Sunday.
This is a very exciting time. CPMX, Kinght-May auction, MPC Fest! Some important news coming up in the next few days!
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Mail Call
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Dear editor- Yes, you were one of the first numismatic people I met-I was probably around 6-7 year old, so it was well before I got interested in girls. That was a long time ago... As stated, the Bons de Solidarite are examples of items that self-narrate their story. Say what you will about Marshal Petain, but these pieces are quite vivid. I am not at all convinced that we really know which are the rarer varieties... By the way, that was an interesting account from Ski on Pilot Edward O'Hare-quite heroic indeed... Joel PS: I have to admit that it is a change seeing someone refer to my father as "Joel's father" rather than me as "Neil's son."
Joel Shafer Dear Joe, I just read your article in the above gram about your experience in Morocco. You are writing about the word floose. Well, this word is not Moroccon, but from the Arabic. It seems that the word "flus" or correct pronounciation in English "floose" (as you write it) is just a general Arabic dialect word used in North Africa, for sure also in Egypt. The high Arabic word for money is: "nuqud". I don't know where the word floose comes from, maybe it could have some French roots, but for sure it is still used nowadays for money in Northern Africa. Best regards, Chris
Dear Chris,
I suggested that floose/flus is related to the word falus, which is the basic denomination of the pre-modern Moroccan coinage (falus when transliterated into English - it might actually be flus in the hands a different translator). The falus coins were cast in strips like Chinese cash, but much cruder, and predate the machine-struck coinage of Morocco (which was actually struck in Europe).
JoeDear Editor We still have copies of Theo van Elmpt's wonderful book on BAFVs. They are $16 plus postage - (probably about $4 to the USA but I will be happy to quote if anyone is interested.) Claire Lobel
Dear Claire,
Thanks for writing. Not only is van Elmpt’s BAFSV book wonderful, it is a great bargain. Gramsters who do not have this book should jump on it. If you are coming to Chicago, I suggest that you bring a few copies (if luggage allows). I will buy them and make them available here for Gramsters with cheaper post (but not too much cheaper), and faster delivery.
Editor
Dear Editor,
In response to your roster for MPCFest lll home town update request. My home town, where my heart is, is Chicago but I've been living here in Fort Washington, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC, since my retirement.
Please when you update the roster change my name back to 'Dick' from Richard. When I first registered for the Fest I was listed as 'Dick' Freyser, after a day or two my name disappeared from those registered only to appear again a week or so later -- even moving up a few positions -- but now listed as 'Richard' Freyser. I never considered this worth mentioning but now since you are planning on updating the roster with home towns perhaps you won't mind this little change as well.
Dick
Dear Richard,
I cannot imagine the source of the confusion.
Editor
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Departments
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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.
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Special "MPC" events
March 2002 8-10 - MPCFest III –
Fest II Company Roster
Name Fests MPC events hometown
Bell, Doug 3 3 Duncan, Oklahoma (Toledo, Fri Afternoon arrival)
Bows, Ray 1 1 (driving)
Chambliss, Carlson 1 1 Kutztown, PA (driving)
Cummings, Mike 1 1 (Cleveland, Thursday afternoon)
Feeback, Sam 2 3 Lawton, OK (driving)
Frey, Ed 1 1
Freyser, Dick 2 2 Chicago, IL (driving)
Glaser, Al$$$ 2 2 San Diego, CA
Goldstein, Phil 3 3 Margaretville, NY (driving)
Hardy, Wes 2 2 (driving)
Hardy, Rod 2 2 (driving)
Hicks, Gary 2 2 (driving)
Koch, Tom 1 1 Renton, WA
Kroll, Harold 3 4 Owatonna, MN (driving)
Lippincott, Jack 3 3 Fargo, ND (driving)
Maloy, Kevin 3 4
Marshall, Ian 2 2 (driving)
McNease, Bill 2 2
Mericle, Marv 3 3 (driving)
Potter, Bruce 2 2 Bartlesville, OK
Ryan, Gene 1 1 Monett, MO
Schrier, Nick 3 3 Sacramento, CA (?) (arriving early via Detroit)
Schwan, Fred 3 4 Port Clinton, OH (walking)
Seelye, David 2 2 North Chili (driving)
Smith, Elmer 2 2 Berne, IN (driving)
Smulczenski, Larry 3 3 (driving)
Talso, Warner 2 3 Albuquerque, NM (Toledo, Wed)
Turner, Marcus 3 3 Indianapolis, IN (?) (driving)
Walsh, Russ$$ 1 1 Dallas, Texas
Watson, Mark$$ 1 2 Littleton, CO (via Toledo Thur)
Yanchick, Bill$$ 2 3 (driving?)
[Fest reservations for Fest IV: Guido Crapanzano, Tom Warburton, (Barnacle) Bill Lovell, 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
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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
orMilitary 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
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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.
ALLIED MILITARY CURRENCY FOR JAPAN, SERIES 100, 'A' YEN P-62 10 sen F $6, F/VF $8, VF $10, VF/XF ph $15, XF slight stain $17.50, CU $37.50 P-64 50 sen VG $4, F $6, F/VF $8, VF $10, VF/XF $15, AU $25, AU/CU $35, CU $45 P-66 1 YEN VG/F $5, F $7, F/VF $9, VF $12, VF/XF $15, XF $20, XF/AU $25, AU $30 P-68 5 YEN VG/F $20, F $30, VF $40, P-70 10 YEN F $40, F/VF $50, VF $75, minor paper clip stain on Face XF $150 P-72 20 YEN VG $100, minor stains VF $150, VF $200 Shipping is $2.50 per order. If insurance coverage is desired, the fee Is extra. Please confirm availability: hoffman@rabbitbrush.com
MPC for sale:
Series 481 5 Cents 1st printing F 2.00
Series 481 5 Cents 1st printing VF 4.00
Series 481 5 Cents 1st printing EF 9.00
Series 481 5 Cents 1st printing EF-A.UNC 15.00
Series 481 5 Cents 1st printing CH.UNC 30.00
Series 481 5 Cents 2nd Printing F 2.50
Series 481 5 Cents 2nd printing VF 4.00
Series 481 5 Cents 2nd Printing EF 10.00
Series 481 5 Cents 2nd printing A.UNC 22.50
Series 481 5 Cents 2nd printing CH. UNC 30.00
Series 481 5 Cents 3rd printing F-VF 3.25
Series 481 5 Cents 3rd printing VF 4.00
Series 481 5 Cents 3rd Printing EF 10.00
Series 481 5 Cents 3rd printing EF-A.UNC 20.00
Series 481 5 Cents 3rd printing CH.UNC 35.00
Series 481 5 Cents 4th printing VF 6.00
Series 481 5 Cents 4th printing EF 10.50
Series 481 5 Cents 4th printing A.UNC 22.50
Series 481 10 Cents 1st printing F 2.50
Series 481 10 Cents 1st printing VF 4.50
Series 481 10 Cents 1st printing EF 15.00
Series 481 10 Cents 1st printing EF-A.UNC 24.50
Series 481 10 Cents 1st printing CH.UNC 38.00
Series 481 10 Cents 2nd printing F 2.50
Series 481 10 Cents 2nd printing VF 4.50
Series 481 10 Cents 2nd printing EF 20.00
Series 481 10 Cents 3rd printing F-VF 4.00
Series 481 10 Cents 3rd printing VF+ 15.00
Series 481 10 Cents 3rd printing EF 21.00
Series 481 10 Cents 3rd printing CH. UNC 45.00
Series 481 10 Cents 4th printing gr VF 30.00
Series 481 10 Cents 4th printing VF 40.00
Series 481 10 Cents 4th printing AU-UNC 90.00
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
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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