From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 662 Date: Thursday, July 04, 2002 4:58 PM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 662-Thurski 4 July 2002 Allied Fest Certificate Series 100 C Yen Withdrawn The conversion begun on Wednesday was completed Thursday at Colorado Springs. AFS Series 100 which was retired on Wednesday was replaced on Thursday by MFC Series 022 with a special ANA overstamp. This conversion unified all MFC using areas. Series 022 is now the only series of Fest money in circulation. Although the Springs issue has a special overprint, it is fully negotiable in other areas where 022 is being used. However, Series 022 without the overprint is not usable in Colorado Springs. The troops seemed happy to have money again in their hands. Serious trading commenced immeduately upon issuing of the new money. Independence Thurski by Larry "Ski" Smulczenski Happy Birthday America. It would sure be interesting if one could take a trip back in time and hide in the corner to listen to our forefathers as they declared our independence from England and see what they really meant as they wrote those famous documents. Today you can hear every news anchor's, talk show host's , scholar's, and fruitcake's opinion of what these men wanted for posterity. In most of the cases, you can't find agreement between any of these self professed experts. Aw, but I stray from the subject that the Gram was initially intended for--military money. I wanted to find some issue or some item that had some association with the Fourth of July. I went to my handy-dandy desk calendar that usually gives me some fact to at least mention in this column. All I got was "On this date in 1942, This is the Army, Irving Berlin's all-serviceman revue, opens in New York. The show's twelve-week run raises over a half-million dollars for the war effort." I looked at that, and thought that that wasn't very much. Today, our politicians raise that at a one-night fundraising dinner and spend countless times that much on silly subjects like the "Mating habits of a tree toad in the African jungles". There wasn't much help there. I went to a listing of significant dates during World War II. I found that on July 4th, 1943, the Battle of Kursk began in the Soviet Union. Over the next 10 days the Soviets defeated the Germans in the largest tank battle of the war. Well, that's kind of neat, because the Soviets did issue a lovely set of war bonds in 1943, depicting a battle scene with tanks prominently displayed along the bottom of the bond. These are great items and I mentioned in one of my columns the super exhibit that Marcus Turner has put together featuring these bonds. However, this just doesn't lend itself to our Independence Day. There was one more entry noting that on the 4th of July, 1945, the Allied occupation of Berlin officially began. The thought of German AMC or Special Army Currency came to mind, both good subjects and great notes, but little to do with our Fourth. So all I can say is enjoy your fireworks, your barbecues and your day off and continue the fight to keep our country free and independent. On another subject, Ole Thurski really took a beating from the young guy about misplacing a paybook. Wow!! In my defense, all I can say is that when you reach the ripe old age of 39, certain things start to go, and if I remember correctly, the mind and memory is the second thing that goes. Of course, I can't remember what that first thing is. It's not only the matter of losing paybooks. I spend a lot time putting things in secure places so that I can easily find them when I need them. Then, I spend the rest of the day looking for similar items that I put somewhere where I wouldn't lose them. So it goes with the paybook. I'm sure it is in a secure place just waiting for me to retreve it. All I can say, Marcus is that your turn is coming. Ol-timers disease doesn't discriminate. You too will reach 39 some day. But on the other hand, t----pink is not a bad color for a paybook replacement. I rather like it and will hold it close to my heart. That location might also help me from losing it. Finally, let me try to shed some info about a question that was asked by Roger about a chit book that he had acquired from the Pennsylvania State Military Reservation at Mt. Gretna. Mt. Gretna is in the hills of central Pennsylvania north of Harrisburg. There was a military reservation there established around 1890 that belonged to the National Guard and had a rifle range there that was used to train marksmen from Pennsylvania and other states for battle since the war with Spain. In 1931, at the recommendation of a General Edward Martin, Commanding General of the 28th Division, the National Guard training site was moved from Mt. Gretna to Indiantown Gap. There in excess of 18,000 acres of land were procured to replace the 120 acres at Mt. Gretna for the annual maneuvers which started in 1933. In September of 1940, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania leased the Reservation to the U.S.Government for $1.00. Construction began immediately on the Indiantown Gap Military Reservation which was dedicated on March 3, 1941. In 1975, it became Fort Indiantown Gap. Whether the rifle range at Mt. Gretna continued in use from the 1931 decision through World War II is unknown to me. I personally think it did, but do not have definitive data that tells me so. I have a set of chits similar to the ones that Roger mentions. I'm pretty sure that Globe Ticket Company was the printer, based on that design compared to others done by Globe. Roger, you can confirm that if you will. I therefore would date these chits from somewhere between 1930 and the end of World War II. Others that I have with similar design have been attributed to World War II. Day 5 ANA Summer Session Colorado Springs, CO by Warner Talso The military money seminar officially closed today, but more events are still on the schedule. The Colordo Springs coin show starts tomorrow. On Saturday there will be an MPC program and an informal mini Fest. After today's half day class schedule, the annual young numismatist auction was held. Several MPC and MPC Fest items were included. All sold well. ============================================== Editorial ============================================== The military money seminar has come to a close and must be considered a success. Everyone seemed to have had a good time and probably even learned some things. I know that I did. There is much more to report, but there just is not enough time at the moment. However, without the pressure of presenting a class, I hope to be able to share some important reports in the next few days. Fred ============================================== MAIL CALL =============================================== Some comments on Joe Boling's report. I think that every "new" propaganda item he mentions has been published and translated in an old IBNS article by yours truly in the past. "From Memphis, a new version of the US $10 1934 Italian propaganda note, SB411, p397 (serial F05934811A with Italian back). It appears that there must be at least six versions of this piece." No, there are eight varieties. I have published and translated all but I/7. Nobody has ever seen this piece. It is a real rarity. "Another new piece is a British pound (SB page 165) with the face of SB191/193, but a new message in Arabic." There are three different Arabic messages known on the British 1 pound notes. I have translated them all in the past. "Yet another is a North Vietnamese 50 xu note (being away from my library I can't look it up to see whether it is actually NVN, VC, or some other entity--the lead line of the title is Uy Ban Trung Uong). It is stamped on the back, in a large rectangle, COMPLIMENTS OF / THE ROBIN HOODS, with a shield in the center bearing 173rd AHC on a ribbon running lower left to upper right, a crossbow at lower right on the shield, and an unidentifiable device (a seashell?) at upper left on the shield. I assume this is 173rd Assault Helicopter Co." I believe I pictured this item about 20 years ago in one of the two articles I wrote for IBNS on propaganda currency in Vietnam. It was simply a souvenir overprint on a note, although some dealers at the time tried to sell them as "death cards.": Herb ================================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS ================================================ 2002 ANA Seminar: 29 June to 5 July W.W. II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002 Session II (Sunday, 7 July through Thursday, 11 July, 2002) general events will return MPC presentation by Warner Talso at Colorado Springs Coin Show, Saturday, July 6 at 2 PM at the City Auditorium, Kiowa Street, Colorado Springs 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$$, Fred Schwan, David Seelye, Nick Shrier, Larry Smulczenski, Warner Talso, Marcus Turner, Tom Warburton, Mark Watson $$ = Paid Running total: 18 ANA:21-23 March 2003, March, Charlotte, NC ================================================== Subscription information: You can enter an email address to receive the gram by using the link below. Use this to change your address (add the new one), add a friend or enemy. http://www.papermoneyworld.net/WebMailList/Default.asp =================================================== 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. 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 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!? Sign up for SBC Yahoo! Dial - First Month Free http://sbc.yahoo.com