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MPC GRAM
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Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics

Series 003 - Number         JUNE 2002
___________________
__ days to Fest IV__


FEATURED ARTICLE


Still More Odd and Ends, and a Different Ceylonese Fake
by Joseph Boling

       Well, I am pleased to have two responses to my question about Bizonia (and even Trizonia). It's a term I never ran across, and sounds like something out of a Peter Sellers movie. Thanks, guys.
 
       I also had a direct response about the ARC in Britain chits I wrote about last week, but not the key bit of information--which war? Here's what I got--If it is any help, Birkenhead [where the chits were printed] is across the river from Liverpool, a bit like Brooklyn to NY. Less than 20 miles away is Burtonwood which during the Berlin airlift was a major US base. It used to have the longest runway in Europe. Now closed and a motorway slap through the middle. Tom [Warburton]

       I have been peripherally involved with Burtonwood twice in my career. During operation FRELOC (fast relocation), when we had to take everything out of France after they withdrew from NATO (maybe not officially, but practically), a lot of stuff from France went into Burtonwood (1967). Then, when I was in Germany again in 1976-79 (or maybe 89-92--I can't remember which tour), we were closing Burtonwood, and moving all that stuff again (I don't remember where it went). I was not aware of the significance of the strip there, nor of the Berlin Airlift connection.

       In response to Joel Shafer's "shameless plug" of the Lyn Knight Memphis sale, the $5 FTPC catalog listing says "At one time, another was known but it was lost in the mail!" In fact, the one lost in the mail was a design set 2 note, serial # 104593, in green and salmon. The piece in the Knight sale is the first reported in design set 1. I don't know if the booklet that it came from had more than one $5 note in it; I have a record of only one $5 piece reported in that SN, and one $1, and a full page of each of the fractional denominations (of which a set is in the sale with the $1 note). It appears that a page of each denomination was saved--five each of the 5c and 10c, four each of the 25c and 50c, one each of the two high denominations. What is truly unusual about the Knight offering is that there are so many design set 2 fractionals; when SB was written, only the 50c piece was known in the minors (three of them). The Knight sale has at least one each of all three unreported denominations, plus the really weird one with the alphanumeric serial number. A great selection--I'm eager to see what they bring (now that I own not a single piece).

       One more note about FTPCs--remember that the $1 and $5 design set 2 pieces can be distinguished from design set 3 only by the paper; I will be looking at all the ones offered in Memphis to see whether they conform to my previous observations about the paper used for design set 2.

       In looking through my stacks of unaccessioned purchases for an interesting item to write about, I found a Ceylon 1 Jan 1942 50-cent pair - good and fake. Recall that back in February Ski and Trevor Wilkin talked about 25c and 50c specimens that they had acquired, which turned out to be modern fakes. I have a counterfeit of the 50c piece, along with a good one. The watermark in the original says CEYLON GOVERNMENT in a large oval, with smaller block letters across the center of the oval saying RESTRICTION (not "restricted," as Ski reported). Only half of the watermark appears on one note. The fake has no watermark at all. The original has a green AND YELLOW underprint of interlocking circles. SB does not mention the yellow, and it is invisible to the naked eye, but quite visible under an 8x glass (which is why I always use a glass when I am writing catalog descriptions--I'll blame the SB omission on Fred, or on the fact that it was written during my thirty- day sojourn at his place in 1993, when I was working without a desk lamp and probably did not have my pocket glass with me). Now, the SB description says the 50c colors are like the 25c; will someone please look at a 25c and see if it has the yellow underprint as well as the green one? Looking at the SB description again, it looks as if the "green tint" in the 25c description is actually referring to the major guilloche, and not to the fine underprint at all. Is there a separate underprint even on the 25c pieces? If so, what color(s)? My fake is not a modern piece; it is not an exact copy of the original typography, but a new setup using slightly different fonts and a different SN machine. And, it is true line art; there is no dot pattern in any portion of the design.


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MAIL CALL


In response to yesterdays editorial:
<<  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. >>

    In fact, an Enigma machine offered in a recent auction had been stolen from a museum and was recovered when the sale was publicized. I don't remember the details, but I'd be leery of bidding on one, for the very reasons you gave.
Joe

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *


You mentioned the auction of a German Enigma code machine in a recent MPCram. These have been offered several times over the years. They are not all that uncommon.  It is my understanding that after the end of WWII the British sold such confiscated machines to several emerging African nations. The code-breaking techniques of WWII were still top secret, so the African nations were told that the machines were unbreakable and could be used  with complete security. The British then commenced to read their mail for the next 10-20 years. Of course, that could all be just an old intelligence myth...
Herb

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EDITORIAL


Wow! Looks like I struck pay dirt mentioning the ENIGMA machine! Two letters about my statement in 24 hours...  The other thing I failed to mention is the ENIGMA machine met the reserve and sold for $31,000. I'll have to run out and get one of each color... :o) 

Seriously though, it's nice to see history of that caliber appreciated. We ourselves appreciate history by our interests in MPC & WW2 Military Currency.. I just can't imagine anyone paying $31,000 for a single MPC note although I'm sure there is some collector willing to prove me wrong.... But I bet I can think of a SET of notes worth that... MUCH more than that...

With Gram 661 coming up shortly, anyone care to express their opinion in what they think the complete Series 661 Progressive Proof set is worth? Just wondering what it means and how much it means and to whom. I'm sure Fred would like to have some input...

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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.



Germany -  WW2 Notegelt 50 Pfennig red & orange Land Baden 1947 CU $150.00
Germany -  WW2 Notegelt 5 note complete set from Stuttgart May 1945 issue CU $250.00
Greece -     WW2 1 Drachma Ionian Islands P-M11 dr. blue scarce issue CU $28.00
Japan -       WW2 domestic issue 10 Yen greens & black mishandled cu's (I have 3 in consecutive number) so I'll
                   call them XF+  $18.00 each    

I have more WW2 and world notes on my website: LeosWide World of Bank Notes
Contact Leo May at LeoMayEnt@aol.com
(639)




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 -