From: "MPCgram" To: ; Subject: MPCGram 695 Date: Thursday, August 08, 2002 10:28 AM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 695- Thurski 8 Aug 2002 Thirty Nine -- AGAIN! by Larry "Ski" Smulczenski Yesterday, I celebrated my 39th birthday--again! This has been the 27th time we have celebrated that event or the 27th anniversary of my 39th birthday, which ever you prefer. I now have two kids that are older than I and a third that will be there in a couple of years. The baby is only in her mid-twenties so she has a long time until she catches me. But it has been fun. My fascination with 39's all started many years ago when Fred found a set of Italian AMC, all with serial number 39. Now I don't mean a serial number with various numbers and ending in 39, I mean all zeros and then ending in 39. ----A00000039A. I had to have that one for my collection. It sure was pretty to see all those notes laid out in front of you with the same serial number. We had seen some low serial number notes and even a couple of similar sets, but this was the lowest serial number set we had seen. The negotiations were very difficult, but I finally walked away with the set and significant "alimony payments" for the next couple of months. The second note that appeared was a one-dollar Hawaii note. Fred again found this one in an auction and purchased it. He then sent it to my wife who gave it to me as a Christmas present. This is a lovely uncirculated note with serial number C00000039C. Needless to say, I was thrilled. The note sure beat the hell out of getting a tie or shirt for Christmas. Somewhere in the same time frame, the British Ministry of Defence sold the second lot of surplus BAFSV's to a private buyer. The thought crossed our minds that we may be able to purchase some of the notes with serial number 000039 from the hoard. Fred went at the task and contacted the buyer. It took a little time, but I ended up with about a dozen notes all with the serial number 000039. Around the advent of the First Fest, a number of us got the idea of collecting another set of MPC all from the same position. Fred started collecting a number "1" set, Harold had number "2," Joe the number "8" and Doug decided he wanted to assemble every position for every series on the values five cents thru one dollar. My task, of course, was the position number 39. I haven't completed this set but it is well on its way and makes a very impressive display. A couple of years ago, the series 691 and 701 notes suddenly became available. Interestingly, the 691 one dollar notes that reached the market had serial numbers starting with 039. Friends of mine, knowing my interest, made available to me the note with serial number D03903939D. Months later, the five dollar, series 691 note with serial number D00000039D also came my way. The collection was really growing. Recently I saw an ad in the Banknote Reporter for a U.S. $20 Federal Reserve Note with a radar serial number. Amazingly, that serial number was E39399393B. You know where that one had to reside. Ebay also contributed to my collection. I saw a note from Russia or the Ukraine or some place like that. I don't really know and I don't really care, because the serial number was 393939. That one came my way pretty cheap because there aren't many people out there collecting 39's and David probably didn't see it. I tell this story with intent of showing that you can have fun collecting without having a goal or being structured. There is no complete set of 39's or if there is, I'll never achieve it. I don't collect just MPC or just U.S. notes with 39 in the serial number, it's anything that comes my way that has a 39 on it. I have a chit, a lottery ticket from 2001, a souvenir card and lots of Fest money. That too was a lot of fun, trading notes at the Fest's to get the MFC with serial number 39. What is the next note that will come my way? I don't have a clue and I sure don't have a want list although in the back of my mind I know I would like to have a national from charter 39. That would make an interest addition to my novelty collection. Do you think collectors are sick puppies? You are probably right. This column was written and typed at the Eglin Air Force Base library. My house was struck by lightning for the second time in the last three years and the computer is back in the computer hospital to be repaired. Don't let anyone tell you that surge protectors work. I had two of them in line with the computer and that bolt of lightning still got by. So if there are a bunch of errors in this column or it seems a little disjointed, it’s because I'm typing on a strange computer. Us 39 year olds need all the excuses we can get. ============================================== Editorial ============================================== Oh boy am in I trouble. I have a nice item for Larry that I was supposed to send to his wife for his birthday. Now I am in trouble with her AND with Larry. Drat. I let her down once before and it took a long time for her to get over it, now I am in trouble again. I still have a good report in preparation on my visit with Phil Goldstein after the ANA and there is breaking news for tomorrow’s Gram. On top of that, I am home from my travels so everything is VERY hectic! Fred ============================================== Mail Call ============================================== Greetings. Early this morning, unable to sleep in the heat as the counting sheep abandoned me for cooler pastures, I found myself watching MASH. What other episode should air, but the one I commented on a few months ago: Hawkeye is paymaster, has $10 extra, gripes to Radar about lost compensation... etc.. I leaned REAL close to the TV screen to watch... (my eyes are spinning) Radar hands Hawkeye a brown accordian style envelope containing $3000. When Hawkeye counts the MPC, he counts off by flicking the bundle in his ear and says "Thats fifty" but look closely - they are crisp new, and are wrapped with a rubber band. Fifty notes in a bundle? Wrapped in a rubber band? Another scene: At the Poker Table, there are MPC notes on the table, and they are in colors: red and green, possibly blue, hard to tell on my TV, but definitely red. Upon closer inspection, the do appear to be Series 611 $1 notes, just copied in different colors.. There is definitely an "bright" oval with no embellishment, offset to the right of the note and the closest note to come to that description is the Series 611 $1. Also, it should be noted that Series 611 $1 Prop Money is confirmed to have been used, and can be seen on Page 185 of Fred's book. I will continue to nit-pic further "MPC" episodes of M*A*S*H.. But my next question is, does anyone out there know of any movies that use MPC? Something for us collectors to watch out for. Best Wishes, Philip M. Goldstein Dear Phil, Thanks for the report. I have to pick at one item. At the Fest and other times, we have used the term paymaster rather loosely. In the army the person who paid the troops was the pay officer or officially the class A agent. Most often the person who handed the money to the soldier was the company commander with the class A agent sitting in the background. Sometimes the company commander was also the class agent and sometimes the class A agent (not the company commander) actually paid the troops. Editor ================================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS ================================================ 2002 Dallas Aug 21-24 National paper money and historical artifacts show at the Sheraton Grand hotel at DFW Airport. An auction will be held Friday and Saturday nights. 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$$, Fred Schwan, David Seelye, Nick Shrier, Larry Smulczenski, Warner Talso, Marcus Turner, Tom Warburton, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Tom Koch, Nancy and John Wilson $$ = Paid Running total: 22 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. This is a modest but important collection of MPC replacements. Heck, anytime that a collection has more than twenty different, it is significant. This collection is not significant so much for how many different, but for what the pieces are. This collection includes some VERY important replacements, starting with the first one. Terms are available, please confirm availability via email fred@papermoneyworld.net. Of course the email confirmation gets the note. Nice Korean MPC coupon; 4th series .25 denomination. 600.00. email me at kochfam@gte.net Tom Koch 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) Wanted: War and other bonds issued by the US government, will purchase or trade. =================================================== 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!? HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com