Status: U Return-Path: Received: from mail.papermoneyworld.net ([207.3.91.49]) by hazard.mail.mindspring.net (Earthlink Mail Service) with SMTP id u0l855.m2v.37kb01i for ; Sun, 2 Dec 2001 16:44:05 -0500 (EST) Subject: MPC GRAM Precedence: bulk Sender: mpcgram-owner@mail.papermoneyworld.net From: mpcgram-owner@mail.papermoneyworld.net (List Server) Date: Sun, 2 Dec 101 15:20:25 CDT Message-Id: <10112021520.AA3477FA60@mail.papermoneyworld.net> Reply-To: mpcgram@mail.papermoneyworld.net Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 08:53:01 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 501 Reply-To: mpcgram@mail.papermoneyworld.net ============================================== MPC Gram ============================================== Covering the Entire World of Military Numismatics ---------------------------------------------- Series 003-Number 501 Sunday, December 2, 2001 The below is an item from The E-Sylum. Wayne [Homren, editor] has given me permission for you to use it, if it is properly attributed to The E-Sylum. MILITARY "COINS" By Alan Luedeking "An article in the Wall Street Journal of August 6, 2001 described the growing practice in the U.S. military of handing out "coins" as souvenirs and tokens of appreciation (literally) for a job well done. This tradition is said to have begun in the 1960's with the 10th Special Forces Group, a unit of the Green Berets. I found it interesting that each federal entity formulates its own rules concerning their design and distribution, and that at Fort Stewart, Georgia anybody under the rank of colonel cannot use federal funds to pay for the making of theirs. Some small units resort to flipping hamburgers and sponsoring car washes to pay for theirs. It's said most soldiers value receiving these more than a "real" medal or ribbon, and that some individuals have paid for theirs out of their own pockets (Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, for instance, who is said to hand them out "much, much more sparingly" than his predecessor William Cohen [according to Rear Adm. Craig Quigley]). Although the article implied that only the Army and Air Force practice this tradition widely, the photographs showed one for the Navy (for the U.S.S. Coronado) and one for the Office of the Director of the U. S. Secret Service. What disturbed me a bit was that the value of these pieces has become so widely recognized that now executives of Raytheon and General Dynamics hand their own out to military clients, and even Pentagon correspondents (Jamie McIntyre of CNN, for instance) hand them out. This would appear to dilute the "purity" of the tradition. Are there any unwritten rules at all? It was mentioned that these "coins" regularly trade on eBay, so clearly they've become a global collectible. If Clinton's collection numbers over 500 different pieces, and generals like Hugh Shelton and Shinseki report that theirs have even been counterfeited, this clearly begs for more information. Is there is any comprehensive catalog out there?" >From The E-Sylum: Volume 4, Number 48, November 25, 2001: an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society. Copyright (c) 2001, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society. The E-Sylum is a free emailed newsletter and you can be added to by contacting Wayne Homren at whomren@coinlibrary.com. The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at http://www.coinbooks.org/. There is a membership application available on the web site. To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. For those without web access, write to David Sklow, NBS Secretary-Treasurer, P.O. Box 76192, Ocala, FL 34481. MPC Did you know #4 By Ed Beaman The use of roman numerals, on MPC, occurs on a relatively small number of notes. 5 notes, that have 14 separate uses. Most are ornate design inclusions, that have little to do with the note's value recognition. That being said, it is still pretty interesting stuff. Our everyday, Arabic standard represents the overwhelming majority of numerals, in MPC design. The notes are.... DCXI $5.00.... DCXLI $5.00.... DCLI $5.00.... DCLXI $5.00.... &.... DCLXI $20.00. Series 641 $5.00, has 6 occurrences, while the 651 has 4. The Minuteman, in the 651 replaces the 2 on the left edge. http://home.sprynet.com/~ebeaman/roman1.doc Pull 'Em Out....Take A Look ============================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------- We are excited that Mark Watson has accepted the challenge (see below). Mark is going to do a once a month column. Welcome Mark! Mark’s column will appear on Saturdays. Now, the plan as we see it is to find a few more folks to step up and also write monthly columns for Saturdays. We need three more in order to have Saturdays covered by columnists. ============================================== Mail Call ---------------------------------------------- Editor, A while back, you asked for additional article writers. I was wondering if you would like a monthly article about my exploits as a beginner into the arena of military world paper money collecting. Until the summer seminar, I really had no interest in anything other than MPC. But after a week with Joe and Fred, I saw the untapped potential in areas I never considered to add to my collection. Cheers, Mark Wow, now there are three AFLB's known and the amazing part is that I don't own one. Gosh, I'm jealous and envious. Do you think if I ask Santa Claus he might bring me one for Christmas? I've been a good boy. --Ski Dear Editor: In answer to Keith's question from today's Gram about my AFLB: I would describe it as a solid XF. It has a slight wrinkle that runs from the L in leave to the S in states, a slight bend which does not otherwise break the surface, and a couple of what I can only describe as "dings" in the surface. There is slight brownish tint around the edges which I attribute to having been stored in its original brown envelope. (Incidentally, an empty envelope from an AFLB recently sold in the Stamps listing on ebay.) Please forward this information to him or put it in the Gram. I will forward scans of the bond and the envelope to anyone who would like one. I am beginning to believe that the rate for leave was $25.00 per day. Keith's bond would coincide with such, although $5.00 is still not out of the question. I seem to recall that $25.00 per day was the rate for unused leave when I ETS'd from the Army in 1999. Jim Downey Dear Editor, Congratulations on the publication of 500 Grams! I first came on board this past summer (actually I was kidnapped by a group of overly enthusiastic MPC nuts during the ANA Summer Seminar). Since then, the Gram has been an interesting daily break -- keep up the good work! By now you should have received your Summer Seminar 2002 Course Catalog. Military Numismatics since 1930 is being offered during Session I, June 29 to July 5, 2002. The course description follows: This course was the hit of Seminar 2001. It will emphasize World War II, plus all series of military payment certificates (MPCs). Worldwide war-related emissions by all powers (Allied, Axis, and neutral) will be treated, including those for overrun areas and puppet governments, fighting forces, liberation governments, and post- war occupations. Paper money, bonds, coins, and medals will be covered. Conflicts since WWII will be covered lightly. The segment on MPCs will be about 30% of the course, and will cover all aspects of their production, use, and collection. Instructors: Joseph E. Boling and C. Frederick Schwan, co-authors "World War II Remembered, history in your hands -- a numismatic study" and "World War II Military Currency." We have an on-line course catalog and printable registration form at: http://www.money.org/sumsem2002.html.Financial aid for adults and scholarships for young collectors is available. Applications are on the ANA web site at www.money.org under Educational Programs. There is a new e-newsletter for YNs (Young Numismatists) and YN advisors. For information or to subscribe, please e-mail education@money.org. Thanks again for all you do for the hobby! Gail Baker ANA Director of Education ================================================ 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 - 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, Nick Schrier, Richard Freyser, Tom Koch, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Doug Bell, Sam Feeback, Bruce Potter, Elmer Smith, Marv Mericle, Wes and Rod Hardy, Marcus Turner, Fred Schwan {running total 23}] 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 corridnate 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. 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) general events will return soon --------------------------------------------------- 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 Leo May Warner Talso Marv Mericle Mark Watson Gail Baker ==================================================== 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 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. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Buy the perfect holiday gifts at Yahoo! Shopping. http://shopping.yahoo.com