From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 652 Date: Monday, June 24, 2002 6:49 PM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 651-Sunday 23 JUNE 2002 MPC SERIES 651 by Marvin Mericle I believe this series is one of the most talked, argued, and researched set of notes within the complete series of Military Payment Certificates. We all know that these are the same design and vignette as those of the series 641 with the only change that being the “Minute Man” placed on the left hand side of the face of each note. One must keep in mind, they were not the replacement for the series 641. On the contrary, they replaced the old series 611. Personnel assigned to Cyprus, Japan, Korea and Libya had been assigned series 611 which were in use for a little over five (5) years. When “C” day was held, only those GI’s stationed in Japan, Libya, and Korea were to see the new series 651. Cyprus was no longer required to use Military Payment Certificates. The new series 651 was to have a short turn-around time for those personnel stationed in Japan, and Libya. In Japan, they were used for a total of 22 days, and Libya was only 45 days. Korea being the only place these notes were to be used for any length of time, April 28, 1969 to November 19, 1973. Lets first look at the “Minute Man” vignette and its relationship to military currency. Concord is considered the cradle of American independence. It was the first battleground of the American Revolution, as Yankee militiamen alerted by Paul Revere, routed the British troops at the Old North Bridge along the old Lexington Road. On July 4, 1875 (the centenary of the Battles of Lexington & at the Old North Bridge), a monument would be erected (on the opposite side of the bridge). A young New England sculptor named Daniel Chester French had been commissioned to sculpture a statue to commemorate this historical event. His resulting work, the bronze Minute Man, a riveting bronze statue of a young ploughman, eyes ablaze, musket in hand, brought overnight fame to the artist. Mr. French was born (1850) in Exeter, New Hampshire, and reared in Cambridge and Concord, Massachusetts. His fame from the Minute Man allowed him the opportunity to study in Italy in 1876 before opening his first studio in Washington, DC, where his father was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. French traveled to Paris, made the friendship of Saint Gaudens, (those who are coin collects will know this name) and executed the arresting statue of GENERAL LEWIS CASS for the Capitol in Washington. French executed numerous public sculptures among his most successful works is the gigantic seated figure of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. French died (1937) at the age of 82 in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Lets now take a look at the fractionals of this series. As everyone who is collecting a complete MPC set knows, this is one of the most expensive of all the fractionals. The sets ( 5, 10, 25, and 50 cent) are currently only available in CU condition. At this time there is a total of eighty (80) complete sets known . These notes can tell a story all by themselves. We need to look back in time to 1965 when these were ordered from the BEP by the Army. The United States had just removed all precious metal from our coinage. There was a shortage of coins for circulation (1965-1967). By the time this series was put in place, coins could be used anywhere without being hoarded, therefore it is my belief that is one reason the fractional notes were never placed in circulation. Now then, the notes had been shipped to the various locations, and were most likely stored during the use of this series. At that time, anyone having access to these notes could very well exchange some of their mpc bills for the fractionals. The only requirement for paymasters was to account for the total dollar value of funds assigned. Also, when this series was no longer required to be used, that was the end of MPC’s for these countries. Were the notes destroyed at the facilities where located, or were they shipped to a central location and then destroyed? The military didn’t keep very good records of this information because when it was discontinued ( “C” day), it was no longer considered negotiable currency, and anyone having same was not able to exchange it for ( in this case) US currency. Maybe one of the GRAM recipients was in the military and assigned to one of these areas when “C” day was held, and can shed some light on how the series was destroyed. It has now been almost thirty years since this series of notes were used by the Military. Anyone who was in service and received the fractionals were not sure they could release them, to the public for sale, without being charged by the government for something. If that person was retired from the service, they could not be sure that the government wouldn’t come along and charge them and thereby lose their retirement pay. Also, there was the possibility that they would get court-martialed for their taking of these notes. With the addition of time, and current military views concerning Military Payment Certificates, I feel we will be seeing all that is out there within the next few years. Note: Anyone owning a set of series 651 fractionals who would like to share their ownership with me, please send me the serial numbers of your notes!!! I try to maintain records of owners and have records for the past fifteen years. I do not release the names of owners, only the total quantity and serial numbers of the notes known. You may email the information to: marv626@att.net. Thanks Marv ============================================== Editorial ============================================== Well Marv and Phil BOTH emailed me the missing column that Marv sent three weeks ago. We certainly apologize to Marv for the late delivery, but we are excited about the nice story and hope that he will send many more. Also reading his story inspired a few research lines that I had not thought of before. Based upon Marv’s inspiration, I hope to have some new information in the next few days. Fred ============================================== MAIL CALL Dear Gram, Having never been to the Memphis show before, I was eagerly anticipating lots of notes and meeting some fellow collectors. Let me say that I was not disappointed, in fact, I was very impressed with the show and was able to fill a lot of empty spots in my collection. I always enjoy talking to Fred and he introduced me to Gene Hessler, Larry Ski and Dave Seeley (thanks for the great MPC info and the notes). I was also able to meet a few other collectors/researchers and learned a great deal about paper money. For me it was a worthwhile experience. On another note (no pun intended), in a recent gram Tom Koch talked about "chits." Would the gram have his e-mail or snail mail address? I would like to contact him. Roger Urce Dear Roger, Thanks for the nice letter. We will consider sending Tom’s email address to you, and I know that Tom is willing for you to have it because he included it in his article. However, editors are a greedy lot. We (I) took Tom’s address out of the article, because we want readers to respond here in the Gram for the benefit of everyone! Not subtle perhaps, but effective. Fred Dear Gram and Theo, Both the BAFSV and the Suriname books are in my donation to ANA. However, if IBNS had a copy of the former and it was deposited with the US librarian, it should be there already. If it went to the European librarian, then it is in Italy. There is no David Keable award for books at the IBNS international level. This award might be made by the London Chapter, and the book may therefore have been deposited with their library (if they have one) or the European library. Joe =============================================== 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 ANA Annual Convention, New York City, July 30- August 4. (MESSAGE CENTER— (Active Monday, July 28, through Sunday, August 4) Telephone—719/499-3591) POW Conference – 5 – 8 October Iowa, Confirmed participants: Feller, Smulczenski, Schwan 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, Chicago, IL 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 =================================================== 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 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 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 =================================================== 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 SchillingF $2 VF $3 P-103b 1 SchillingF $1 VF $2 XF $3 P-104b 2 Schillings XF $3 AU $4 P-1055 Schillings VF $3 XF $4 AU $5 P-106a 10 Schillings (no fractional line in prefix number)F $3 VF$4XF $5 AU $6 P-106b 10 Schillings (with fractional line in prefix number) VF+ $5 P-10720 Schillings F $3 AU $8 P-10950 Schillings VF $8 XF $10AU $12 P-110a 100 Schillings(no fractional line in prefix number) F $6 VF$8AU $12 P-110b 100 Schillings(with fractional line in prefix number) F $6 VF $8 RUSSIAN OCCUPATION - WWII - 1945 issue P-113b 1 ReichsmarkVF $10 AU $20 ALLIED ISSUE FOR BELGIUM - GOVERNMENT IN EXILE - ISSUE 1-2-43 P-1215 Francs F $3 VF $4 XF $5 AU $6 P-12210 FrancsF $3 VF $4 XF $5 AU $6 P-123100 Francs F $10 VF $15XF $20 P-124500 Francs F $50 VF $75 MILITARY ISSUE OF 1-8-46 P-M11 Franc prefix 'A' F $15VF $25 P-M410 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, OH43452 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) =================================================== 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) =================================================== 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 ===== MPC Gram is published by BNR Press and apermoneyworld.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. ===== 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!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com