From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 721 Date: Thursday, September 05, 2002 4:37 AM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 721 Thurski 7 Sep 2002 Japtan Island By Larry “Ski” Smulczenski Before my computer got hit by lightning, I had written a couple of columns on the atomic tests and the few pieces of ephemera that were associated with these tests. There was one more series of tests that I wanted to write about, but without the computer, I didn't have my data. So, lets look at that series of notes issued for Japtan Island Recreation Area. If you are not familiar with the notes, there is a picture of one on page 427 of your World War II Remembered. They were issued in values of 5c, 10c, 25c, 50c, and $1. All the designs were the same except for a color change between the values. There was a palm tree with coconuts on the face, and a picture of two nuclear particles bombarding the core of the explosive on the back. The major color of the notes was green with brown, blue, pink, green and black used respectively on the five values. Japtan Island was the Rest and Recuperation (R & R) Area for the Nuclear Tests conducted on Eniwetok. Since most of the sailors were at sea most of the time during the tests, and there were no R & R towns in the vicinity, Japtan Island filled that void. There was a bar, a swimming beach, and a shipwreck on Japtan Island. Notice I didn't include any girls, maybe a few natives, like Bloody Mary from South Pacific. With no women for entertainment, fights frequently broke out between the various crews and most sailors felt they didn't have a good time unless they went back to their ships with at least a few cuts and bruises on their bodies. Japtan is a small island in the same chain of islands as Eniwetok Atoll. Both are in the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. After World War II, this area was designated as the site for atomic tests from 1947 to 1962. Since there was a 15-year period there, I tried to determine when the notes were issued. You will notice that there is a seal on the left side of the face of each note. It says that the notes were printed on board the USS Estes.and that the Joint Task Group was 132.3. If this was like the Bikini Tests, the point 3 indicated the Naval Support ships for the operation. The commander for this operation was RADM C.W. Wilkins, CTG (Commander Task Group?) 132.3. His flagship was the USS Curtiss and the test sequence was known as operation IVY. The ship arrived at Eniwetok on 12 October 1952 and participated in several tests thru June of 1953. Included was the first thermonuclear device detonated. The USS Estes was also part of the Task Group during these months. So this appears to be when these notes were printed. The right hand side of the face of the note has a statement that says "Void after completion of operation. Good in trade only". Theoretically, the notes should have been voided around the middle of 1953. This however doesn't explain the overprint listed in World War II Remembered for the USS Batroko. I have searched for a ship by the name Batroko, but was never able to find one with that name. I did however find the USS Bairoko, which was an escort aircraft carrier. The Bairoko though was involved in the Korean war until August of 1953, therefore could not have been associated with operation IVY. Further research uncovered that USS Estes and Curtiss returned to Eniwetok in early 1954 along with the USS Bairoko as JTG 7.3 for a series of high yield thermonuclear weapon tests known as operation CASTLE. In this case the Estes was the flagship and the firing station for the tests. The Bravo test under CASTLE was to have a predicted yield of 6 megatons but actually yielded 15 megatons. This was the most ever exploded in the atmosphere by the USA and was the worst incident of fallout exposure in the entire series of atmospheric tests. Fallout was scattered over 7000 square miles of ocean and radiation burns were experienced by a number of participants. The USS Bairoko had 16 of her crew that developed small skin lesions. World War II Remembered lists the USS Batroko (sic) overprint as a simple souvenir. I would like to offer that it may have been a validation stamp to continue use of the notes at Japtan Recreation Area for JTG 7 during operation CASTLE. What do you think? ============================================== Editorial ============================================== The implied message from Ski’s column above is that he is back on line. At least his computer problems were the direct result of mother nature instead of Microsoft. Nonetheless, losing one’s computer these days sure curtails collecting activities not to mention other areas. I wish that I had some sage advice to offer along this line. I do not. I can, however, repeat that terrible computer term: “back up, back up, back up.” Fred ============================================== Mail Call Dear Editor I enjoyed Marv Mericle's comments about his complete collection. I wonder if his was the collection I viewed at the Portland, Oregon ANA convention. I didn't know such "things" existing, not being a paper money collector. But that collection is what gave me the determination to collect these notes I found so attractive. I'd encourage everyone to display their collections, complete or not - as with me, perhaps many will start collecting MPCs simply by appreciating your display. Geoffrey Bard Dear Editor, One point which seems to have been missed in the recent turn of events on where Marv's MPC Collection has been shared with the public and the collecting community is that they have been making their way into Krause's Standard Catalog of World Paper Money Series as the illustration notes for the MPC section in Vols 2 and 3. It was a pleasure to get introduced to Marv, and work with him in getting the notes, a few series at a time, on loan to be photographed. That was a great way to share some very nice items with the hobby, thanks! George Cuhaj, Iola. ============================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS ============================================== 2002 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, 9 - 12Jan 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. One MPC checklist and 10 UMC. Your cost is $5.00 postpaid, for one set one book and ten UMC. Limit of one package per request. Quantities are limited so mail you request and funds ASAP to: John Parker P.O. Box 20173 Atlanta, GA 30325 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