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MPC GRAM
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Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics

Series 003 - Number 638       Monday 03 JUNE 2002
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_ 270 days to Fest IV__


FEATURED ARTICLE


39th Field Artillery Battalion Scrip
by Bill Murray, Memorial Day, 2002

A friend of mine, COL (Ret.) John Byrne, wrote an article, “Light Artillery in Pursuit in Sicily, 1943,” for the 1998 July-August issue of Field Artillery Journal.  It was an interesting article, which might properly have been applied in the recent events in Afghanistan.  However, my reason for sending it to the MPC Gram has nothing to do with his points of the tactical employment of light artillery and the value of proper training.

Colonel Byrne, at the time of the action, commanded the 39th Field Artillery Battalion as a major.  His article highlights in detail the two weeks training, at Brigadier General “Iron Mike” O’Daniel’s Invasion Training Center in Algeria.  Perhaps tedious to subordinates, that training paid off in the event.  But my purpose for sending this to the Gram relates, as it must, to “the entire World of Military Numismatics.”

I now quote from COL Byrne:

       “After Palermo fell, the 39th FA reconstituted its batteries, opened the unit messes and prepared for a holiday.  With “liberated” materials, the men constructed an oval carnival midway with ingenious rides and games.  Mimeograph machines (How many of you remember the mimeograph?) printed “money” with a set amount per person.  The ubiquitous service battery found an Italian ice cream shop, sterilized its equipment and produced ice cream from powdered milk. Each 39th artilleryman received a special piece of the mimeographed money entitling him to half a melon filled with ice cream.  Needless to say, a great time was had by all.”

       Wouldn’t I love to close this with, “… and John Byrne had a small amount of the 39th FA money, which he gave me.”

Don’t I wish!

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MAIL CALL

Howdy, Fred and other Gramsters!
       In the Handbook of Texas article labeled “German Prisoners of War,” the statement is made that local farmers paid the US Gov for the prisoners' services at the prevailing wage per day at the time which was $1.50.  Out of that money, the prisoner received 80 cents “…in canteen coupons…” and the balance was paid to the government to defray the cost of administering the PW program. Visit the link below for the full article on the German prisoners. 

http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/GG/qug1.html

The URL for the handbook is::


http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/

For other materials on the PW experience in Texas see the following publications:

Mark Choate, Nazis in the Pineywoods (Lufkin: Best of East Texas Publishers, 1989).
Arnold Krammer, Nazi Prisoners of War in America
(New York: Stein and Day, 1979).
Robert Tissing, "Stalag Texas, 1943-1945,"
Military History of Texas and the Southwest 13
(Fall 1976).

I just thought y'all would like to know...
Jay Jackson


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EDITORIAL


       Brad Peacock sent me a link to an eBay auction today. Thinking is was of numismatic interest, I opened it, and to me amazement, it was an auction for a "ENIGMA" Cipher machine. I find this very interesting and coincidental if for no other reason, thanto be offered around the date of June 6th. Who would of thought an item of this historical importance, (and rarity?) to have surfaced. You would think they (the machines) would all have been accounted for and either destroyed or presented to various museums. If you wish to see it, here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=875891831

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2002

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

WESPMEX:   27 - 28 July
Westchester Paper Money Exposition - 175 Dealers
Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY

WESPMEX:   11 - 13 October
Westchester Paper Money Exposition - 100 Dealers
Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY

WESPMEX:   29 November - 1 December
Westchester Paper Money Exposition - 160 Dealers
Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY

2003

CPMX 9:   20 - 23 February,
MPC Fest IV:   28 Feb - 2 March, Port Clinton, OH
Fest Registrants: Doug Bell,  Joe Boling,  Guido Crapanzano,  Dick Freyser,  Philip M. Goldstein,  Gary Hicks,  Harold Kroll, 
Jack Lippincot,  Kevin Maloy,  Leo May$$,  Fred Schwan,  David Seelye,  Nick Shrier,  Larry Smulczenski,  Warner Talso,
Marcus Turner,  Tom Warburton

$$ = Paid          Running total: 17



ANA:   19-22 March, Charlotte, NC

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HOT CONTACT LIST - DEALER & RESOURCE 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, or furnish information dedicated to this field. They have supported the new Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates with their advertising.

They deserve your support and patronage!

Name                                                       phone                    fax / cell                          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      (305) 720-0659                LeoMayEnt@aol.com or Wide World of Banknotes
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 SECTION:
For Sale ads will run for a period of up to 5 issues, or until sold.

FOR SALE:  ALLIED MILITARY AUTHORITY CURRENCY FOR AUSTRIA. 1944 ISSUE
P-102b       50 Groschen          XF $1        AU $2        CU $3
P-103a       1 Schilling               F $2           VF $3
P-103b       1 Schilling               F $1          VF $2        XF $3
P-104b       2 Schillings             XF $3        AU $4
P-105         5 Schillings             VF $3        XF $4        AU $5
P-106a       10 Schillings          
(no fractional line in prefix number)      F $3     VF$4         XF $5        AU $6
P-106b       10 Schillings          
(with fractional line in prefix number)     VF+ $5
P-107         20 Schillings           F $3           AU $8
P-109         50 Schillings           VF $8        XF $10      AU $12
P-110a       100 Schillings        
(no fractional line in prefix number)       F $6     VF$8         AU $12
P-110b       100 Schillings        
(with fractional line in prefix number)    F $6     VF $8

RUSSIAN OCCUPATION - WWII - 1945 issue
P-113b       1 Reichsmark         VF $10    AU $20

ALLIED ISSUE FOR BELGIUM - GOVERNMENT IN EXILE - ISSUE 1-2-43
P-121         5 Francs                 F $3          VF $4        XF $5        AU $6
P-122         10 Francs               F $3          VF $4        XF $5        AU $6
P-123         100 Francs             F $10        VF $15      XF $20
P-124         500 Francs             F $50        VF $75

MILITARY ISSUE OF 1-8-46
P-M1         1 Franc prefix 'A'    F $15         VF $25
P-M4         10 Francs  prefix 'A'                 F $50

Please confirm availability with Ed @ hoffman@rabbitbrush.com



Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates - 4th Edition
by Fred Schwan

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 SECTION:
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.
Wanted listings will run for a period of 1 month.


WANTED - Fancy Series 641 fractional notes - any condition. (5/18)
WANTED - Philippine Guerrila Money (5/26)

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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 201, Bottom Right - Very last sentence on this page
Two serial numbers listed for the second printing of
Series 472 .50 cent notes.  The first serial number listed is obviously in error as a nine digit number: C040351392C   
Correct Serial Number is: C04035139C
D Freyser (date listed 10 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)

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MPC Gram Staff:


Publisher:                                               Fred Schwan -                              MPCGram@yahoo.com

Editor:                                                     Philip M. Goldstein -                   IWANTMYMPC@aol.com
Subscription Manager:                        Doug Bell -                                   doug@papermoneyworld.net
Tuesday Columnist :                            Joe Boling -                                   JoeBoling@aol.com
Thurski Columnist:                               Larry "Ski" Smulczenski -           skifla@prodigy.net
Friday Columnist:                                 Fred Schwan -                               MPCGram@yahoo.com
Critic:                                                      Harold Kroll -                                HARBONS@aol.com
Distribution Manager:                         Brad Peacock -                              bp22@swbell.net

Scholarship Coordinator:                    Marcus Turner -                           maturner@indy.rr.com
Index & Back Issue Manager:           
vacant
Webmaster & Technical Advisors:   Doug Bell "Wiz" -                        doug@papermoneyworld.net
                                                                 Russ Walsh -                                russ.walsh@gte.net
Fact Checker:                                         Warner Talso -                            
Calendar Coordinator:                          John & Nancy Wilson -

The Boss:                                               Judy Schwan -