From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 731 Date: Monday, September 16, 2002 7:24 AM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 731 Monday 16 Sep 2002 Strasburg Show Report By Dick Freyser Just wanted to say I enjoyed the few hours I spent last Friday at the Strasburg Currency & Stock & Bond Show in Lancaster, PA. It was not an event I had planned on attending. But after receiving an email from Fred and Larry pointing out that it was not far from my home (about 3 hours). They asked if I could bring my 481 $5.00 note that appeared to be from a forth printing. I was eager to have them both examine my note to add to my confidence that it was indeed authentic. They both examined it for hours and could not come up with anything to indicate it was not authentic. They both, as I understand it, will pursue this further while at the BEP this week. In the few hours I was there, there were several festers who showed up. Perhaps if Fred had known in advance we could have had a mini-fest. I know of at least 8 festers in attendance and perhaps more showed up. All the appropriate MPC coin challenges were made and I'm happy to report, that at least while I was there, they was no one that had to purchase refreshments for any others (everyone came up with a FEST coin). I had brought my military gasoline coupon collection with me and although I had no intention of parting with any of my coupons, both Fred and Larry each relieved me of one coupon to add to their coupon collections. I'll be receiving something in return from each of them to add to my collections. Thank you Fred and Larry (They both can be quite persuading). All in all I had a great time, even if only for a few hours, and I'm delighted that the MPC Guru(s) had basically confirmed my note to be authentic. Thurski on Monday By Larry “Ski” Smulczenski I am writing this sitting in a motel room in Williamsport, I Pennsylvania where I am spending the night and awaiting the arrival of Dave Seelye who I am bumming a from as we go to the Strasburg Paper Money Show. My wife took the car to go visit her sister in New Jersey, while I enjoy myself at the show and then spend the next week in Washington. We plan to meet up in Annapolis at friends house, the latter part of next week. Last month I detailed my plans to review The Banknote Reporter of 25 years ago. The front page of the September 1977 issue reported the results of the 86th ANA convention held in Atlanta. On page one is a picture of gramster Elmer Smith, who won the third place award in the U.S. Paper Money category for his exhibit, “Historic Collection of U.S. Military Payment Certificates.” The exhibit was described as the finest MPC collection in the world. (Didn’t we just through this a couple of weeks ago?) Two award winners that were not pictured, but who captured awards were Gram columnist Joe Boling who won first place in World Paper Money category with his exhibit entitled “Building a National Currency—Japan 1868-1899.” Second place went to Gram editor Fred Schwan for his exhibit entitled “Military Currency of Occupied Germany.” Fred’s column ‘Military Vignettes’ describes a visit with Gramster-dealer Ed Hoffman at his home in Reno, Nevada. At that time Ed had just retired from the Navy in the previous year after serving 20 years. During his tour in Viet Nam Ed became interested in MPC and club tokens. He supplied many collectors with these items while in Nam and later began dealing in these items (I remember buying a number of MPC coupons from Ed many years ago—still have these items by the way [of course—editor]). Fred relates an interesting money story about a young captain stationed in France, I don’t remember this little talk so I’ll relay it. “Between 1946 and 1951 there were plenty of U.S. troops in Germany, but few in France. Soldiers going on leave to France were advised to take travelers checks or French francs, but many forgot this detail and arrived in France with only MPC. If they arrived during the day, there was a branch of the American Express at the train station and a conversion could be made. However, if the soldier arrived at night, he/she was in a real spot as MPC were not accepted in commerce in Paris. Well, it seems that when the Frankfurt – Paris Express arrived at night, there was always a certain captain who would ask arriving soldiers if they had enough francs. If they did not, he was always ready to help out. He would accept MPC and give francs in exchange at the official rate of 350 francs per dollar. The captain managed to hold his job in France for longer than usual and this went on for years. One day he had a visit from the CID (criminal investigation division). He was read his rights and the investigators were about to charfe him with a crime and possibly arrest him. The CID agent stated that they had evidence that he was dealing in black market francs. He informed them that they were wrong and explained that he bought his francs in Luxembourg where the money market was not controlled. He then sold the francs to soldiers in France at the official rate. This resale did net a profit of about 50 francs per dollar. Try as they might, the CID could not find any army regulation or law that had been violated. After consultation with the chief agent, the captain was told that while he had been clever and could not held for any crime, that the CID would notify the Internal Revenue Service of his activities. At this the captain broke out ina big grin and produced copies of his income returens for the past three years and pointed out the entry for miscellaneous income for “rendering service to U.S. Personnel arriving without negotiable funds in Paris."” The agents were completely stumped. It is nice to see the little guy win one once in a while! ============================================== Editorial ============================================== Ski and I just finished typing the Thurski column above that was intended for last week. I told Ski that this would be a Doubleski week. He thought that Troubleski was more like it. Ski hates my laptop computer. His fingers just are not formed right for the small machine. He loves his old one at home (computer I am talking about). Fred ============================================== Mail Call ============================================== Dear Gram, One of the things I want to do with the graduate seminar is spend time on the details of Japanese emissions, including reading things like denominations on bonds that have no Roman characters and attributing some of the more esoteric materials. Joe Boling ============================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS ============================================== 2002 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 Paper Money Convention IBNS Sydney & Melbourne Chapters 2/3 November 2002 Artarmon Motor Inn, Sydney Australia Contact Tony James wk. 61 2 9235 0888 fax. 61 2 9235 0588 email:- info@tonyjamesnoteworld.biz Come on escape the Winter in the north and see the Land Down Under. Very Inexpensive! Australian dollar is only 55c US !!!!! 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 www.traces.org 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 ======================================== 2003 scholarship fund Donations of cash and numismatic material will be gladly accepted. Generally the numismatic material is auctioned at MPCFest, but might be sold via ebay or other places. Your scholarship donations help the hobby by sending qualified individuals to the ANA summer seminar military money class. Except for unavoidable charges like ebay fees, 100% of your donation goes to scholarships. 2003 Scholarship Donors Ed Hoffman RA Medina Dick Freyser Larry Smulczenski David Seelye Howard Daniel Steve Feller Contact me at: "Marcus Turner" maturner@indy.rr.com or Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, Indiana 46123 USA ========================================================== 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. 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! News - Today's headlines http://news.yahoo.com