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MPC GRAM
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Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics

Series 003 - Number 643       Monday - 10 JUNE 2002
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__263 days to Fest IV__


FEATURED ARTICLE


Memphis Wish Book
By Fred Schwan

       The Lyn Knight Memphis auction catalog is a virtual wish book (as these catalogs so often are). The catalog came a few weeks ago and I looked through it, but I did not study it until today. Now, I can hardly wait to get to Memphis to study the notes themselves. Not only does the catalog excite my acquisitive nature, but it is full of research information as well.

       Before we discuss some of the great items in the sale, there is a funny item in the catalog. The extensive bibliography includes some interesting entries and is worthy of a little study in itself. The item in question is the listing for A Guide Book of Philippine Paper Money. This great book was way ahead of its time in the 1960s and is still an essential reference. The book is by Joel Shafer’s father Neil. Now for the good part. A typo in the catalog has the book by Neil Shafe (no R)!

       This time the MPC is integrated with the United States paper money which is where I think that it belongs. Quantity wise there is not much MPC in this sale, but it is still an interesting group. To me the most interesting item is a fourth printing Series 481 $1. Since the beginning of the multiple printing studies, this has been the most desirable note. It is not the rarest of the multis, but it is still the most interesting because of the migration of the position number. This is the first time that the multiple printing aspect has been featured in a catalog. I look forward to seeing what happens with this lot.

       Elsewhere in the US section are some other interesting items that are often overlooked by military collectors—Hawaii and North Africa notes. There is a nice selection of star notes, but the real star is a Series 1934 $10 North Africa. This is a circulated example which might make it somewhat affordable for some collectors who do not want to spend a fortune for an unc. By any standards, in any grade, this is a rare note. I look forward to seeing the activity on this piece. Of course the bulk of the interesting material for me is in the world note section. I will only be able to pick out a few pieces here for discussion. Probably I will mention these same items again after the auction and possibly pick up a few more at the same time. There is plenty to study in this section for research purposes alone. I expect to make lots of annotations in my master copy of WWII Remembered while studying these notes.

       I really like Foreign Trade Payment Certificates. What they lack in beautiful vignettes they more than make up for with (a string of THREE propositions!) rarity, mystery, and even intrigue. There has never been an auction like this for FTPC! Eight lots present twelve different pieces! There it is in glorious color, a $5 FTPC! What an amazing piece! This is the only reported example of this denomination. A poor example was known, but about 15 years ago it was lost in the mails and is unlikely to ever be found. To make it even better, another lot includes the 5c through $1 of the same issue so some lucky collector could have a complete set of a type that is not currently listed. If that were not enough there is a 5c FTPC with a letter prefix to the serial number. No other examples of this type of serial number have been observed and the purpose is unknown.

       It does not take a brain surgeon (sorry CT) to realize that the highlight of the auction is the set of notes for the Italian occupation of Egypt:

Cassa Mediterranea di Credito per L’Egitto.


       Heck, if you do not know anything about WWII notes, when you see an estimated price of $180,000 – 250,000, you know that it must be something special. This is a legendary set! Mystery, intrigue, it has it all. According to the legend, Loeb and Sten split a specimen sets of the Egypt and Sudan notes. Even the whereabouts of the divided sets has slipped from the radar screen. There is more.

       First of all, the set includes a 1 piastre denomination! This value was not previously reported. Whether it was in the Loeb-Sten set is not known, but my guess is that it was not. This is a specimen set. It is marked CAMPIONE on the face and back. Each note in the catalog appears to have also been “cancelled” by a rectangular cut. Interestingly enough these are not cuts at all but sort of security devices electronically applied to the catalog only. The notes are in tact! Two other lots have the same CAMPIONE printing and glue residue. Lot 618 is a set of the Cassa Mediterranea for Greece. This is the only issue of the three (for Sudan, Egypt, and Greece) that is collectable.  Finally, there is also a specimen set of the Biglietto a Corso Legale per le Isole Jonie (for the occupation of the Ionian Islands). This set has the CAMPIONE same markings.

       All of this is rather conclusive evidence that these three sets were together and probably consigned by the same person. However, it is not conclusive that the three sets left the manufacturer together. Since Sten and Loeb shared a set of the specimens, it occurred to me that Sten’s catalog from the 1960s might have some research information that we have missed over all of these years. I could not find my Sten catalog, but I did find his 1965 Encyclopedia of World Paper Money and it included a surprising bit of info.

       Sten describes the notes this way “prepared for Italian occupation of Egypt, captured by British at Sidi Barrani. (Reported by  [The] Numismatist, Feb, 1941).” Wow, this was far more than I had hope of finding—a contemporary account! A quick call to the American Numismatic Association library netted me a faxed copy of the short notice from The Numismatist (page 119). The item consists of only two paragraphs. The first gives the critical information: “A news report from Cairo is of the greatest numismatic interest since the report contained the sorry of the capture by the British of large quantities of bank notes, printed for use in Egypt conquered by Italy. The notes were seized by the troops upon the evacuation of Sidi Barrani. Instructions were found with the bank notes that they were to be placed in circulation with the Italians had occupied Alexandria.

       Sidi Barrani is one of those wonderful names from World War II that is simultaneously wonderfully obscure and critically important. According to the Webster’s Geographical Dictionary, Sidi Barrani is a coastal village in northwest Egypt. In World War II it was the scene of much fighting in North Africa campaign; captured by Italians September 1940, by British Dec. 11, 1940; taken by Rommel’s army 1941 but recaptured Nov. 10 – 11, 1942 in Rommel’s retreat. As you can tell I am excited about these Italian (and other) issues. It will be fun and interesting just to be able to see and study the notes.

I will make a report from Memphis on Thursday night or during the day on Friday. Gramsters will get the first reports from Memphis.


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MAIL CALL


       Speaking of "what do you collect?", I am interested in British and English blood chits. I have many WWII examples, but there are lots of Korean War ones I don't have, and I don't have a Desert Storm blood chit either. So, who out there has some for sale???
Don Wagner

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ANA Library Receives BAFSV Book
       You can now check out T.F.A. van Elmpt's book titled "British Armed Forces Special Vouchers," as I've donated a copy to the library. It won't be in the online catalog until October, but the call number is UA60.V3.  I was rather surprised to find out that neither the ANA Library or the IBNS library, colocated with the ANA library had a copy. After reading about it in the gram, I checked the web, and was able to purchase a couple of copies from Mr. Alistair Gibb.  I still have a copy for myself, but look for one in the ANA YN Auction during the first week of the Summer Seminar  as I gave Gail Baker a copy at the Long Beach show. Cheers,
Mark C. Watson


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Dear Gram,
Since Joe B. was asking someone to check the underprint on the Ceylon 25c (1942). The 50c does indeed have the Green & (mustard) yellow undpt. The 25c undpt. (under 30x magnification) is what I would call Aqua & (mustard) yellow. As for the watermarks, on these notes, I have always assumed it was a "hit and miss" affair. With the watermark showing up on the note only when the alignment of paper allowed it. Hence it would be possible to have partial, full and w/o watermark "varieties".
Murray Hanewich

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EDITORIAL


       The clock ticks towards Memphis.. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it, although I had hoped to... Someday, I hope to be able to attend Memphis, and Maastricht.. thats my wish list.

       On another note, I need a list of the serial numbers for the 111 Series 651 .50 cent notes sold in the May 17th CAA  Auction. Can anyone furnish?

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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 -