From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 708 Date: Friday, August 23, 2002 6:19 AM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 708- Friday 24 Aug 2002 Early Articles on Military Currency by Mark “Sparky” Watson While attending the ANA Summer Seminar, I used the library frequently, mainly because my class met in the library. During breaks, I would wander through the stacks, sometimes looking at the military paper money books upstairs against the front wall, and at other times browsing through the various journals the ANA maintained, sitting on their shelves in the basement. One journal, “The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine,” I enjoyed looking through greatly. Published from 1935 to 1975, the journal contains a cornucopia of information. Unfortunately, the magazine does not have an index, or more correctly, a useable one. The published index consists of a listing of the article titles for the year, but no keywords. As many of the tidbits of knowledge came in the form of paragraph summaries, the existing index completely misses them. Some respite comes in the form of the Harry Bass search engine, one of the greatest tools for the researcher. However, because of the factoid nature of some of the articles, only by doing a page-by-page review of the journal can the researcher gleam all the information. While thumbing through the 1945 volume, I came across two articles dealing with the issuance of Allied military yen currency. The military first used AM yen on the Ryukyus Islands on 1 April 1945. This is the supplemental B yen (supplemental A yen entering circulation on 7 September 1945 in Korea), and came in denominations of 10 and 50 sen, and 1, 5, 10, 20, 100, and 1000 yen. Not being one of the original denominations, the 1000 yen began circulating in December 1951. 1st article, May 1945, p. 466 American Army and Marine assault troops in the Ryukyu Islands have requested an issue of American invasion currency in Japanese denominations for the first time in the western Pacific war. Navy Lt. J. G. Roberts (author’s note: perhaps LtJG Roberts instead?), supply corps officer in charge of issuing new money, exchanged crisp sen and yen notes for American greenbacks for a long line of soldiers, Marines, and sailors. Invasion bills were issued in six denominations -- ten and 50 sen, and one, five, ten and 20 yen. The exchange was at the rate of ten cents for one yen and ten sen for one penny. (The pre-war value of the yen was 23 ½ cents.) Largest of the bills, the 20-yen note, is about the same size as American currency. Other bills are half as long. Most of the troops are buying the currency for souvenirs. *** 2nd article, September 1945, p. 882, entitled Sen, Yen To facilitate dealing with the natives, Yanks on Okinawa and other Ryukyu islands are being paid in military sen and yen notes instead of dollars. There are 100 sen in a yen and a yen on Okinawa is figured to be worth 10 cents, but this rate of exchange may vary in other Jap areas on the invasion schedule. The military currency, which was made in the U.S., comes in denominations of 10 and 50 sen and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 100 yen. Low-value notes are about half the size of a dollar bill, high bracket yen jobs approximately as big as one. On the face of the notes are the words “Military Currency” - printed in both English and Japanese. Men who want to send money home may, of course, exchange their sen and yen for greenbacks. ============================================== Editorial ============================================== It sounds like Doug Bell has an interesting MPC barbeque planned for Dallas this weekend. He is going to ask his wife to write a report from the perspective of a non collector. That should be mighty interesting! If you can figure a way to be in Dallas on Saturday afternoon, I think that it will be worth your while! I cannot attend because of a whole schedule of things happening at home that weekend, but you can be sure that I tried to make it happen. I will certainly try to make it to BBQ2. Fred ============================================== Mail Call ============================================== Dear MPCgram, I haven’t spent much time studying the significance of the relationship between position number and serial number of MPC notes. But, I have found something interesting about MPC notes becoming available on e-bay. With in a matter of months, I have seen (3) $5 Series 661 notes all with position number 48. I have purchased (2) of them. All are graded unc. They are B00382503 B, B00383105 B, and B00383897 B. I am not a steady reviewer of e-bay and only access it every other week. Is this an indication of a potential horde being released a little at a time or is it just by chance? Any thoughts on the matter from the Gramsters would be appreciated. Bob Unger Dear Editor, The best reference, by far, on military terms and definitions is Joint Publication 1-02, entitled: Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. This is available on-line ( in .pdf format) at the following web address: www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/new_pubs/jp1_02.pdf or go to: www.dtic.mil/doctrine and click on DOD Dictionary. The dictionary is over 500 pages long so I don't know how long it will take to down load on a phone modem. David Klinger =============================================== 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. MPC Barbeque 24 August 1 pm, in conjunction with above. RSVP is not absolutely necessary, but desirable. Confirmed attendees are: Doug Bell and Karen, Sam Feeback, Harold Kroll, David Seelye, Bruce Potter, John Cheney, Al Glaser, and Amanda Sheheen, Russ Walsh, and Joel Shafer. For questions or reservations contact Doug Bell at doug@papermoneyworld.net. Hong Kong Coin Auction, August 29, 2002 & Hong Kong International Coin Convention, August 30-31, 2002, Holiday Inn Golden Mile, 50 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Auction sponsored by Baldwin's Auctions Ltd.; Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co. Ltd.; Ronald J. Gillio Auctions; and Monetarium (S) Pte. Ltd. Bourse information from Ronald J. Gillio, 1003 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Telephone 805-962-3197 & Fax 805-962-6659 or Margaret Ang/Kathy Chu in Hong Kong at 852-2311-1699 or email at tcoinshk@netvigator.com. London Paper Money Fair, September 1, 2002, The Bonnington Hotel, 92 Southhampton Row, London WC1, England, Pam West, P.O. Box 257, Sutton, Surrey SM3 9WW, Telephone/Fax 44-208-641-3224 or email PamWestBritNotes@Compuserve.com. Czech International Symposium on Paper Money, September 12, 2002 & 5th Collectors' Fair of Philately, Numismatics and Telephone Cards, September 13, 2002, IBNS Czech Chapter, Evzen Sknouril (President), Vaclacke nam 17, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic, Telephone 420-2-2400-9273 or Fax 420-2-2400-9278 or email ibnscz@volny.cz. Strasburg Currency & Stock & Bond Show, September 12-15, 2002, Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center, 2300 Lincoln Highway East (US-30), Lancaster, PA 17602, Kevin Foley, P.O. Box 573, Milwaukee, WI 53201, Telephone 414-421-3484 or Fax 414-423-0343. Central States Fall Show (& Greater Cincinnati Numismatic Exposition), September 20-22, 2002, Sharonville Convention Center, I-75, Exit 15, North Cincinnati, OH, Paul Padget, Telephone 513-821-2143. 5-6 October IBNS Congress at the Trade Union Congress hall, two blocks from the British Museum. On 4 October there will be an IBSS (Int'l Bond and Share Society) meeting at the Victory Services Club (Marble Arch), which will include lot viewing for their October mail bid sale (the sale will include Japanese WWII bonds, and undoubtedly other items of interest to gramsters). There are usually auctions by Spink's and by Phillips Son and Neale that week St. Louis paper money show 21-24 November POW Conference 5- 8 October Muscatine Holiday Inn, Muscatine, IA has blocked out rooms for Sunday and Monday nights, and offers a special rate for those and Saturday night at $75 per room 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 FUN Florida United Numismatists, Orlando, Jan 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. Selections from the Phil Goldstein Collection Series 611 sleeper series 5 Cents GEM UNC $39.00 10 Cents GEM UNC $47.50 25 Cents GEM UNC $235.00 50 Cents GEM UNC $250.00 $1.00 EF $20.00 Series 661 5 Cents A. UNC $5.00 10 Cents GEM UNC $9.50 25 Cents GEM UNC $25.00 50 Cents GEM UNC $22.50 $1.00 GEM UNC $19.00 $5.00 GEM UNC $26.00 $20.00 ink 74 VF $35.00 price includes domestic insured delivery confirm coinman@rochester.rr.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) 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!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com