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MPC Gram
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Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics
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Series 003 - Number 597     Wednesday - 17 APRIL 2002
___________________
__317 days to Fest IV__


FEATURED ARTICLE

New Finds:
by Joseph Boling

      Although last week I promised more tales of past collecting derring-do, a few interesting items have come my way since then. Let's talk about them. At a meeting of the University Coin Club (Seattle) last Thursday, a collector approached me carrying he 3rd edition of Fred's tome and asked for assistance in interpreting the listings. He could not understand the lines in the series 481 listing marked "w/D- position # right." I agree that if you just pick up the book, the listings are not intuitive; you have to already know the Comprehensive Catalog numbering convention of using "r" for replacements, and know that "D-" means a serial number without suffix. If you have not read the explanation of replacements, the listing is hard to interpret. So, I explained what D- meant (he was interested because of the grossly higher values for notes on those lines).

     He had acquired a small group of 481 pieces at a different club's meeting the previous week; he had six nickels, a quarter, a half, and three dollars. I quickly checked for D-; there were none. However, I then looked at the serials on the dollars, and saw one that looked uncommonly high. Not having my MPC book at the club meeting, I called our Esteemed Editor to query him about the 4th printing serial break. He was sick in bed, snoring. Judy found a copy of the book, found the page we needed, and read me the low serial for the 4th printing $1--24640001. Just as I suspected - my friend has a 4th printing $1, and a fairly high one at that--D25586062D. The note is a nice VF-XF, quarter folded once each horizontally and vertically. It looks as if it were issued just before C-day and got folded up to put away as a souvenir. Harold, is this a high number? Fred tells me that it is not a condition census piece--in fact, it might be the lowest known grade for this variety, the others also having been issued just before C-day. Here are the pieces in this group:

Den          Serial #                   Pos #       Grade             Printing
5˘   D07811330D        53        G               2nd printing              
5˘   D07763379D        47        G               2nd printing    
5˘   D09410562D        1          G               3rd printing    
5˘   D09579823D        22        VG            3rd printing    
5˘   D09606093D        25        VG            3rd printing    
5˘   D15738791D        36        clean F      4th printing    
25˘ D02153109D        18        F               1st printing    
50˘ D05326696D        78        VF             3rd printing    
$1   D13696838D        33        F+             3rd printing    
$1   D17596197D        30        VG            3rd printing    
$1   D25586062D        49        VF+          4th printing    

     Note the monotonically increasing grades in the nickels, exactly in line with the serial
numbers / printings. The 4th printing $1 will be in the Lyn Knight Memphis sale in June (if Joel Shafer can still shoehorn it in, which he has promised to try to do).

     Also last week I received an email out of the blue from an auction company I had never heard of announcing an estate liquidation sale in Richland, Wash, on 14 April. I emailed back to see if there was any paper in the sale, and got a call that there was a little, but that there was a lot more to be sold later. I asked if that could be brought to the sale venue so I could inspect it; that was doable. I found a plastic bin about 10"x14"x7" just about full of mostly foreign notes. There was some US small sized, and some Canadian, but very little else that is still valid in foreign exchange. There was a separate plastic bag with a large handful of MPC and AMC (and lots more AMC in the loose notes in the bin). I spent about 90 minutes looking at every note, and separated about a dozen that would sell for $20 or more; not much in such a large group. It was somewhat disappointing.

     However, there were a couple of pieces that I thought EE would be interested in, so I called (and he was HOME). He told me what he would pay, and I inquired of the auctioneer whether we could do a side sale on the two pieces. He said they would have to be auctioned, since it is a court- supervised disposition, so he announced a B-lot (so called because he inserted it after an existing lot, as 221B) and opened it at the price Fred was willing to pay. If there were no further bids, we would get it at that price. Well, I'm damned if there wasn't someone who either recognized the value of the notes, or figured that if I were willing to pay x, they must be worth x+$5. We finally got them for x+$30, and I was still happy with the price. What were they? A 681 5c replacement, C00385549 PN49 in F,
and a German rentenmark with Luxembourg post-war revalidation stamps (see SB pages 330 and 36-38).

     Note the serial on the 681 nickel, as it falls in the list on page 291 of the 4th edition--fourteen notes past an already-reported piece. Interestingly, as I was waiting for my driving companion to complete paying for his lots, another attendee commented on the insane price that the two-note B-lot had brought--he was thinking about bringing his MPC right over to see if they could be sold that high. I explained the concept of a replacement note, which he understood, but he had completely failed to recognize the piece that had been sold as a replacement. Contact Fred if you need it (the Luxembourg piece will not be for sale).

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EDITORIAL


First
, I want to apologize to Joe, for forgetting yesterday was Tuesday... Don't know where my head is, but it sure wasn't in a calendar...  I'm just glad his article made it out.

Second, another Series 481 $1 4th Printing.. That brings the total now known to seven. There is one located in a museum, and I need the serial number off of it. Can anyone furnish the number? (hint hint Ski) I wonder how many more of any of the multiple printing notes will turn up over time... I must admit, I lack the patience to wait and find out how many are known in lets say 5 years and 10 years... But I'm sure we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. In retrospect, and although missing the multiple printings I once owned, I'm also glad I sold mine when I did!

Third, below is a letter from Jim Downey concerning an IRS ruling on MPC in 1975. Is should prove to be of interest...

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MAIL CALL

The Society of Ration Token Collectors


      The Society of Ration Token Collectors was founded in 1966 and is a member club of the Token and Medal Society and the American Numismatic Association.

      Membership in the SRTC is $8.00 annually and includes four (4)  16 page publications per year dealing with a variety of rationing subjects, including foreign, as well as auctions for members only. We have 160 members, including those in Canada, England and Italy.

      We currently have a printed catalog on United States Rationing, WWII, which is priced at $40.00 for members and $56.00 for non-members. Price includes postage costs to the 48 continental states.

      Our library contains many books on rationing and related items both for the US as well as various foreign countries and is available to members on a postage cost basis.

      Anyone having further questions concerning the Society or rationing in general, can e-mail me direct at DKolkman@aol.com

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Fred:
The web address below is for Revenue Ruling 75-477.  It was issued by the IRS in 1975 and relates to the tax treatment of income gained by a civilian contractor through black marketeering in MPC.  It is a short piece and think it would be of interest to the Gram audience:
http://www.taxlinks.com/rulings/1975/revrul75-477.htm
I have done a search for other Revenue Rulings that may be of interest, but have not found any. 
Jim Downey

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Asst Ed:
Your thought of separating the letters and other info is good.  I vote for your choice of dividers.
Barnacle Bill

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Comment:   "Show Report!"   It's so nice to hear from a true collector's point of view. I rememeber collecting strictly as a hobby. My joy was unlimited!  Then came "paying bills too" so now, I too collect but have to "deal in numismatics" fulltime. This makes it so hard just to cruze the show for things I like. I do both but get hammered by my peers for "collecting"! I FEEL sorry for them. FOR they do not "know" the joys of collecting.....like Phil! I'm sure happy I collect MPC!!!! Guy Araby!  coin dealer.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Howard Daniel,
I would really like to see the income tax form you found in Va.  I do income taxes as a community service at the senior centers here  in Balto,Md.  Could you scan it and put in you next gram.  My new email address is donflyer@msn.com
Don McKinstry

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS


ANA Seminar:   29 June to 5 July
W.W. II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002
Session I
(Saturday, 29 June through Friday, 5 July, 2002)
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$$, Tom Warburton, Guido Crapanzano, Harold Kroll, Larry Smulczenski, Kevin Maloy, Doug Bell, Marcus Turner, Philip M. Goldstein, Jack Lippincot, Nick Shrier, David Seelye, Joe Boling, Gary Hicks, Fred Schwan, Dick Freyser.
Running total: 16
$$ = Paid

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

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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


Donors to 2002 Scholarship Fund:
Dave Amey                         Gail Baker                               Keith and Sue Bauman        Ort Cowles                         Guido Crapanzano              Howard A. Daniel, III               Steve Feller                        Gary Hicks
Ed Hoffman                        Harold Kroll                             Tim Kyzivat                        R. A. Medina
Leo May                             Marv Mericle                           Mr. 691                             David Seelye
Joel Shafer                          Neil Shafer                               Warner Talso                     Mark Watson
John & Nancy Wilson         Bill Yanchick                                                

===================================================
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!

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 Ass'n               (800) 367-9723                                               ana@money.org
Guy Araby                                             (562) 945-7891       (310) 508-0018               guyaraby@earthlink.net

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

Larry Gibbs                                            (308) 635-7900                                               oth@prairieweb.com
Philip M. Goldstein                               (845) 254-MPC1 [6721]                                iwantmympc@aol.com  or  MPC Website
Great Lakes Bank Note Company      (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
Peter Huntoon                                       Smithsonian Research
                               peter.huntoon@att.net
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               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



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POST / BASE EXCHANGE   (PX/BX/NEX)


Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale, purchase or trade 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. In all cases confirm your order via email first.

FOR SALE


471       10 Dollars        xf-au                                        521/2   5 Cents            cu
                                                                                   521/3   10 Cents          cu
481/4    5 Cents            ch cu                                        521/1   25 Cents          cu
481/1    10 Cents          cu                                            521/1   50 Cents           cu
481/1    25 Cents          cu                                            521/1   1 Dollar            gem
481/2    50 Cents          ch cu                                        521/1   5 Dollars          gem
481/3    1 Dollar           gem                                          521/1   10 Dollars        ch au-unc
481/1    5 Dollars          au
481/2    10 Dollars        cu

541       5 Cents            ch cu                                        591      5 Cents            cu
541       10 Cents          ch cu                                        591      10 Cents          ch cu
541       25 Cents          cu                                            591      25 Cents           cu (leo may)
541       50 Cents          cu (leo may)                             591      50 Cents          cu
541       1 Dollar           cu                                             591      1 Dollar            cu
541       5 Dollars          vf (leo may)                              591      5 Dollars          cu (sold as ch cu)
541       10 Dollars        au                                            591      10 Dollars         gem

611       5 Cents            ch cu                                        641/3    5 Cents           ch cu                          
611       10 Cents          ch cu                                        641/1   10 Cents         ch cu
611       25 Cents          ch cu                                        641/3    25 Cents         ch cu
611       50 Cents          ch cu                                        641/3    50 Cents         cu
611       1 Dollar           cu                                             641/1    1 Dollar           ch cu
611       5 Dollars          gem                                          641/3    5 Dollars         cu
611       10 Dollars        unc                                           641/3    10 Dollars       cu

651       5,10,25,50 cents cu
651       1 Dollar           cu
651       5 Dollars          ch cu
651       10 Dollars cu

661       5 Cents            ch cu                                        681       5 Cents           ch cu
661       10 Cents          ch cu                                        681       10 Cents         ch cu
661       25 Cents          ch cu                                        681       25 Cents         cu
661       50 Cents          ch cu                                        681       50 Cents         ch cu
661       1 Dollar           ch cu                                        681       1 Dollar           ch cu
661       5 Dollars          ch cu                                        681       5 Dollars         ch cu
661       10 Dollars        ch cu                                        681       10 Dollars       cu
661       20 Dollars        ch cu                                        681       20 Dollars cu

691/1    $1, $5, $10. $20 1st Printing ch cu                   691/2    $1,$5,$10,$20 2nd Printing ch cu

692       5 Cents            cu
692       10 Cents          ch cu
692       25 Cents          ch cu
692       50 Cents          cu
692       1 Dollar           gem (leo may)
692       5 Dollars          gem
692       10 Dollars        cu
692       20 Dollars        gem

701/2    $1,$5,$10,$20 2nd Printing ch cu
contact: mdades@pacbell.net


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
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 PayPal using email: fredschwan@yahoo.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 for sale in the above section as a reply. This is a trial, if you like it, send your list.

WANTED Souvenir Card 'MPC Fest I' from the first MPC Fest.

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.

WANTED TO BUY: Bulk quantities of Afghanistan propaganda leaflets or related.

Looking for a Series 641 MPC, any denomination with the serial number J02283151J.

===================================================
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
(date listed: 02 APRIL 2002)

Page 207, #833/4  - Series 481 .25 4th Printing  (table listing serial number breakdowns)  line 5
Start Number is incorrect. It appears as:
(start) D14784001D   (end) D14784000D
Correct start number should be: D09408001D
PK6 (date listed: 03 APRIL 2002)

Page 214, #855/r2 - Series 541 $1 Replacements,
Ending serial number is incorrect
Correct number is F1112000
(date listed: 02 APRIL 2002)

Page 220, #884/2r - Series 641 .50 Replacements

On page 284, it is broken down into 2 printings. That's correct, BUT, on page 220 he lists only (1) printing reported. It should "list" both first and second printings. 
Guy Araby (date listed 04 APRIL 2002)

Page 287, Series 661 Series Summary, 25 cent note: the "list" shows "#CU as 10(7) . It should read, 8(7). As only 8 are known in CU. Just recount P.289.  
Guy Araby (date listed 08 APRIL 2002)

Page 398, Series #541 $10 on  "UNC." price is $2500, on P.214 the UNC. price is $3500. Also the rest of the prices don't match all the way to "VG" on this issue. They should be the same price.
Guy Araby (date listed 08 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 -           skifla@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 -