============================================== By Joseph Boling ==============================================
Lou Padgug Harold "the Critic" Kroll Tony James Philip M. Goldstein Dear Gram, ==============================================
WESPMEX: 12 -14 April ===================================================
Donors to 2002 Scholarship Fund: Steve Feller
Ed
Hoffman
Neil
Shafer
Gary
Hicks HOT CONTACT LIST Dealers and resources for collectors: ===================================================
FOR SALE WANTED ===================================================
MPC Gram
==============================================
Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics
----------------------------------------------
Series 003 - Number: 582,
Tuesday, 02 APRIL 2002
___________________
- 332 days to Fest IV -_
FEATURED ARTICLE
26 February 2002 submission
More
personal experiences
Last week I wrote about my use of MPC as
an Air Force brat. When I entered the Army in 1964, my first assignment was to
Germany for three years. All locations in Europe had already converted to green,
so there were no MPC in my wallet. I had been introduced to paper money as a
collectible as early as 1956, when I acquired some Mexican revolutionary notes
as souvenirs (and, as a stamp collector, I had paid close attention to the notes
that we had used in Morocco and Japan, both MPC and indigenous notes).
In late 1964 I went to a coin and stamp show at Ramstein Air
Base. One of the dealers had obsolete German notes in a loose stack--buyer's
choice for 20 pfennigs each. That was a nickel a piece. Most were 1923 inflation
notes, but there were also the earlier Reichsbank notes that were engraved with
beautiful vignettes and scenes. I discovered immediately that notes were a lot
prettier than stamps--you could put so much more on a note. I bought a dollar's
worth and hardly looked at stamps again.
I started looking for
types and varieties in the various antique shops (there were no coin stores per
se). Many such places had one or more drawers full of obsolete notes in a chest
somewhere in the store. I soon found that non-German notes were very hard to
find. The next most available were Austrian, followed by other central European
countries (very little France, some Italy, some Bulgaria [but not the
now-common 1951 series], some Romania). I did not get to put much in my
collection the first two years; Worms (where I was stationed) is a pretty small
city.
My third year was in Munich. There I really started
building a collection. Not only were there more junk and antique shops, there
was a weekly flea market, and the major banks proved to be treasure chests.
Munich is close to what was then the Eastern bloc. People coming out of
Czechoslovakia or Hungary brought out obsolete US notes, which they exchanged
for marks. Those dollars ended up in the foreign exchange windows of the major
banks. Whenever we had a US holiday that was not a German holiday (such as
Thanksgiving or Memorial Day), I would spend the day touring those foreign
exchange windows. I would ask for the old, large-size notes or any small notes
with seals in colors other than green or blue (remember that silver certificates
were still circulating). Mostly I was able to trade dollar for dollar across the
counter. Once in a while a teller insisted that I buy the notes with marks,
which meant that I had to first buy the marks, so he got two commissions. Grump.
I picked up, in a year, several hundred dollars face in
large-size and obsolete small-size notes. In one of my dumber moves, one day I
passed a red seal large size FRN in favor of a gold certificate (that bank had
about $120 in face that day, and I only had about $30 left when I got there). I
ought to have known better--I had lots of gold certificates, and that was the
only red seal FRN I ever saw. But that was still in the days of gold
restrictions (I could not legally buy the gold coins that every bank had
available), so there was a certain mystique about gold certificates that made
them seem more desirable.
In early 1967 the great silver
certificate rush started, with large dealers in the States buying them at a
premium so that they could exchange them for silver bullion at the treasury. The
US finance offices were also instructed to withdraw them; it was forbidden to
pay them out once received, so I could not buy the at the finance office. I did
pick up a few unusual pieces, $5 SC's in series I still needed for my type set,
from a friendly finance officer. But I was able to buy them in town without
restriction, and the German banks were making no effort to withdraw them or send
them to the States for redemption. I added a few hundred dollars worth of them
before I got back to the States in November 1967.
Central
Germany was barren of those old notes. Frankfurt was absolutely picked clean.
Munich remained pretty good the whole year I was there, and I made one trip to
north Germany, visiting Hamburg, Hannover, Bremen, and Bremerhaven. I got quite
a few nice pieces on that trip, including a bison $10 treasury note. That
particular bank was the only one at which I ever had to pay a premium. I don't
remember how much it was (a percentage of face), but it was not much and I was
happy to pay it.
When I left Germany on the way to Vietnam, I
immediately sold the duplicate type notes and silver certificates in New York
(to Donald Brigandi), before heading to Texas to meet my wife for a few weeks of
leave and then on to McChord for the flight west. We'll take it up there next
week.
EDITORIAL
The above article from Joe Boling is a reprint from the week
of the Fest, at which time we had the Yahoo email failures. It has been
reprinted for all who did not receive the first time around. Our apologies to
Joe and those who did not receive..
Ok, the gram may look good, but I
apparently I don't know what day it is... Gram 581 was marked with correct date,
but the day listed was Wednesday. It should have read Monday. My apologies to
all readers for aging them prematurely. I also added a countdown timer to the
top of gram... Counting down the days to the next Fest. It is NOT automatic as I
have to change the days left manually, but I thought it would be a nice touch.
Anyone know where I can get an automatic day by day countdown timer? Ass't
Ed.
We are introducing a new section in the Gram today. This section
will be used for corrections and enhancements to the 4th edition MPC Catalogs...
When a typo or omission is found, send in a report to the Gram or to me directly
at: IWANTMYMPC@aol.com I
will need the page number, chapter, paragraph or location of error, and nature
of problem with correction. It will then be posted in the Gram so everyone who
purchased a book and who receives the Gram, can make the appropriate
corrections/additions directly into their MPC Catalog. Because this section will
appear for several Grams in a row, it will be listed under the Post Exchange
section so as not to get in the way of regular changing articles and
announcements. There are already corrections listed, so check then out below!
==============================================
MAIL CALL
NOW HEAR THIS, NOW HEAR THIS: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
All festers attending the Maastricht show are to report with paybooks in
hand to Marcus Turner, upon arrival for special field pay operations.
Marcus Turner
American Consulting, Inc.
7260 Shadeland Station
Indianapolis, Indiana 46256-3917
Tel (317)547-5580 fax (317) 543-0270
Dear Gram,
I just purchased a $1,000
Konversionskasse bond issued July 1, 1936 (# 224 on page 485 of WW II
Remembered) in EF condition on eBay. The bond came with three $15
coupons attached at the top. It looks like there were originally 16 coupons.
The coupons all have different dates and the serial number (008971) on them
matches the serial number on the bond. The paper has a watermark and the seal is
embossed so I believe the bond is genuine.
I won
the auction at $25 and noticed the book lists its value at $400. Also, the
book does not mention or show the coupons. The person who sold this to me is
offering several more similar bonds on eBay and they seem to sell for about the
same price. Is the bond really worth $400 and what is the story on the coupons -
do they make it more valuable?
The new Gram format looks terrific, I really like the full
page use instead of the half page in the past. Saves time and paper when
printing it out. The use of color adds a little pizzazz and brightens up the
looks. I would suggest that the Hot Contact List be accessible with a link
instead of being in the daily gram. Not to take anything away from the donors to
the scholarship fund but I feel an updated list once a week or possibly once a
month would be suffice. This would allow more space for informational items,
articles of interest, questions and answers, etc. The Gram is an addiction along
with collecting, keep up the great work. Looking forward to the next issue.
Hi Phil,
You would usually expect to hear from me on
As soon
as we get back from Maastricht, I will try to put something together.
Best
Regards,
In response to Guy Araby's letter:
If I am correct, I
believe one or both of the 691 & 701 printings, did not have wrappers. They
had a piece of stiff cardboard top and bottom, tied with? I know this, because I
received an envelope a while back from Mr. 691, and in it were these pieces of
cardboard, and in between the cardboard were a couple of notes. I threw the
cardboard s away, and kept the notes. That night, Marcus got a hold of me and
told me the cardboard's were the ends of the packs, and that issue didn't have
the conventional wrappers we all know. I did a little dumpster diving and
found the cardboard ends, which now reside in my collection next to the rest of
my wrappers. I suggest you send email to Marcus requesting more detailed info,
as I cannot remember specifics, or hopefully, he can get an answer direct from
Mr. 691. Best Wishes,
What an outstanding gram yesterday's gram was. I
was very impressed with the entire production. I am saving yesterday's gram as
the first "color" gram - sure to be a collector's item. Yesterday's edition is
to the gram,
what book MPC4 is to MPC! BRAVO!!
Brad Peacock
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
WESTchester Paper
Money Expo
Stamp, Coin and Paper Money Show
175 tables
Westchester
County Center, Bronx River Pkwy, White Plains, NY
ANA Seminar:
29 June to 5 July
W.W. II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer
Seminar, July 2002
Session I
Session II (Sunday, 7 July through Thursday, 11 July,
2002)
general events will return
2003
CPMX
9: 20-23 February,
MPC Fest IV: 28 Feb -
2 March, Port Clinton, OH
Fest Registrants:
Leo May$$, Tom
Warburton, Guido Crapanzano, Harold Kroll, Larry Smulczenski, Kevin Maloy, Doug
Bell, Marcus Turner, Philip M. Goldstein, Jack Lippincot, Nick Shrier, David
Seelye, Joe Boling, Gary Hicks, Fred Schwan, Dick Freyser.
Running total: 17
$$ = Paid in full
ANA: 19-22 March, Charlotte,
NC
2004
CPMX 10: 26-29 Feb,
MPC Fest V: 5-7
March, Port Clinton, OH
2005
CPMX 11: 24-27 Feb,
MPC Fest VI: 4-6 March, Port Clinton, OH
SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS
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
or contact
Marcus at:
maturner@indy.rr.com
Harold Kroll
Howard A. Daniel, III
Bill
Yanchick
Warner
Talso
R. A. Medina
Keith
and Sue Bauman
John
& Nancy Wilson Marv Mericle
Guido Crapanzano
Mr. 691
Dave
Amey
Mark
Watson
David Seelye
Ort
Cowles
Tim
Kyzivat
Gail
Baker
Leo May
Joel Shafer
===================================================
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 4th Edition of Comprehensive Catalog of
Military Payment Certificates with their advertising.
Name
phone/fax
email
Allens
(614)
882-3937 (614) 882-0662
info@allens.com
American Coins
& Collectibles (800)
865-3562
American Numismatic Ass'n
(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
cjcpi@comcast.net
Guido
Crapanzano
[39]
2-8056228 [39] 2-4459856
Currency Dealer Newsletter
(310)
515-7369
David F. Cieniewicz
(205)
852-7015
CGC
(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
Philip M. Goldstein
(845)
254-MPC1 [6721]
iwantmympc@aol.com or MPC Website
Great Lakes Bank Note Company (419)
732-6683
Mike Cummings
(863)
603-9899 (863) 603-9880
mpccoin@hotmail.com
Great Lakes
Bank Note Co
(419)
732-6683
IBNS
joeboling@aol.com
Essie Kashani
(909)
627-3996 (909) 627-2776
kashani10@aol.com
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
bobreed@rrcoins.net
Fred Schwan
(419)
732-6683 (419) 732-6683
FredSchwan@yahoo.com
David Seelye
(585)
594-1987 (585) 594-2311
coinman@rochester.rr.com
Richie Self
(318)
868-9077
R. M. Smythe
(800)
622-1880 (212) 908-4047
http://www.smytheonline.com/
Mel Steinberg & Son
(415)
453-9750 (415) 457-4432
melsteinberg@mindspring.com
Military Trader
(800)
334-7165
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)
M10a
Forbes 1 lira
F $1
VF $3
XF $6
AU $9
M10b
BEP
1 lira
VF $3 XF $6
AU $9
CU $15
M11a
Forbes 2 lire
VF $2 XF $4
AU $6
CU $10
M11b
BEP
2 lire
VF $2 AU $6
CU $10
M12a
Forbes 5 lire
VF $2 XF $4
AU $6
M12b
BEP
5 lire
AU $8
M13a Forbes
10 lire F $10
VF $25
XF $50
AU $75
M13b BEP
10 lire
F $10 VF $15
M14a Forbes 50
lire G $3 VG
$6 F $10
M14b
BEP
50 lire
VG $6 F $9
VF $12
M15a
Forbes 100 lire VG+
$75
M15b BEP
100 lire VG+ $75
F $100 (Short Snorter)
Please confirm at: hoffman@rabbitbrush.com
Fourth edition Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment
Certificates by Fred Schwan.
Order yours now:
Standard Edition (400
pages!)
$ 50
Collectors’s Edition (432 pages!)
$ 95
Researcher's 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 Street
Port Clinton, OH 43452
or PayPay using email: fredschwan@yahoo.com
MPC for sale:
Series 481 1 Dollar 3rd printing VF 55.00
Series 481 1 Dollar 3rd
printing VF-EF 80.00
Series 481 1 Dollar 3rd printing EF 90.00
Series
481 1 Dollar 3rd printing EF-A.UNC 135.00
Series 481 1 Dollar 3rd printing
A.UNC 175.00
Series 481 1 Dollar 3rd printing CH. UNC 300.00
Series 481
5 Dollars 1st Pinting VF 155.00
Series 481 10 Dollars 1st printing VF 80.00
Series 481 10 Dollars 1st printing EF 300.00
Series 481 10 Dollars 2nd
printing VG-F 30.00
Series 481 10 Dollars 2nd print F tape residue 30.00
Series 481 10 Dollars 2nd printing F-VF 55.00
Series 481 10 Dollars 2nd
printing VF 80.00
Series 481 10 Dollars 2nd printing EF 300.00
Series
481 10 Dollars 3rd Printing F-VF 65.00
Series 481 10 Dollars 3rd printing VF
75.00
Please confirm at: coinman@rochester.rr.com
Very interesting replacement. Series 692 $10 (!!), serial
number E00032007 pos 5. This SN demonstrates the system very well. Four
positions completed = 32,000 notes. This then is from sheet number 7. Note is
overall very fine, but looks extremely fine from the face. The centerfold that
is strong on the back is not even noticable on the face. Two staple holes that
saved the note from destruction 30 years ago at left. Yours for $3300, terms
possible. Confirm at: fredschwan@yahoo.com
Collector
wants All USAFFE and AUSA Free Samar notes All 125th Infantry Regiment and
Markings Guerrilla notes. I am also interested in any and all Guerilla Municipal
issues.
===================================================
MPC CATALOG CORRECTIONS & ENHANCEMENTS
Page 18, Bottom - Users of Military Payment Certificates
Check marks were omitted from production copies of books. Please check off
the following:
Australia:
641, 661, 681, 692
Canada:
461 through
and including 591
Korea:
641,
661, 681, 692
New Zealand: 641, 661, 681, 692
Thailand:
641, 661, 681, 692
United States: All
Page 214, #855/r2 - Series 541 $1 Replacements,
Ending serial number is incorrect
Correct number is F1112000
(date listed: 02 APRIL 2002)
Staff:
Publisher and Editor:
Fred
Schwan -
MPCGram@yahoo.com
Assistant
Editor:
Philip
M. 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
Friday Columnist:
Philip
M. Goldstein
IWANTMYMPC@aol.com
Critic:
Harold
Kroll -
HARBONS@aol.com
Scholarship
Coordinator:
Marcus
Turner -
maturner@indy.rr.com
Fact Checker:
Warner
Talso -
Calendar Coordinator:
John
& Nancy Wilson -
Index Manager:
Ed
Beaman -
ebeaman@sprynet.com
Webmaster & Technical Advisors:
Doug Bell "Wiz" -
doug@papermoneyworld.net
Russ
Walsh -
russ.walsh@gte.net
The Boss:
Judy
Schwan -