From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 735 Date: Sunday, September 22, 2002 11:05 AM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 735 Sunday 22 Sep 2002 Trip Report--Strasburg/Washington by Larry "Ski" Smulczenski The last week has passed very quickly. Attending the Strasburg Paper Show was again a great joy even if the attendance was less than what was hoped for, but it was good to see many Gramsters and get to exchange stories with Festers Leo May, Rod and Wes Hardy, Dick Frayser, David Seelye, and possibly someone whom I have forgotten. There wee no really spectacular finds at the show (that I know of) although we came across two different bond certificates issued by the state of New York to procure funds for World War II Veterans' bonuses. These documents are similar to the Michigan certificates pictured in World War II Remembered. This is an area of great potential research for someone. One of the highlights of the show was the opportunity to see the recently discovered 4th printing $5 Series 481 note. We examined and studied this prize for a long time and could not find any reason to believe it to be anything but genuine. We vowed to review archive records in Washington to find out the origin of this perplexing note. Unfortunately as Fred reported, our searches proved fruitless. Everything we reviewed substantiated the earlier reports that there were no $5 (or $10) certificates printed during the 4th printing of Series 481. No mention of a 5th printing or a possible add-on to the 4th printing order. Where has the note come from? I'll be darned if I know. It is one of the mysteries of MPC that we just cannot answer. We will have to keep it in the unsolved pile and hope that someday the data will surface that will give use some answers. A major find that we did make while researching the above question, is that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced the gasoline coupons used by NATO forces in Italy, at least during the middle 1970s. You can find an example of one of these coupons on page 175 of the Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates. These coupons were authorized under the status of forces agreements between the United States and other NATO countries. This agreement released the US forces stationed in the respective countries from paying the local taxes on a limited quantity of petroleum products. Hence the issue of these coupons, which are purchased on base but used on the economy. Additional amounts of gasoline or oil needed had to be purchased at the local price (including the tax). The coupons printed in 5, 10, and 20 liter quantities were bound in 50, 100, and 200 liter booklets. The coupons wee issued in series P for personal use and series G for official (government) use. I was amazed at the number of varieties that were printed to include three grades of gasoline, three grades of oil, two grades of kerosene, and even coupons for motor scooters. To me the amazing part of this is that the Bureau would undertake such a small, yet complex job such as this. To match all these different coupons (i.e. grades of gasoline, and quantities with booklet covers had to be a very labor intensive process. Top that off with the fact that in one case the total produced was only 450 booklets! This could be why the Bureau only produced this job for a few years and the coupons from the other countries like Germany, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were produced locally on the civilian market. Another Bureau product that I was not aware of was the revenue stamps for the Philippines. Some of these were used on the Cagayan emergency issues. We just happened to notice these because a BEP worker was entering sheets of these revenues into a computer listing. We had to sidetrack our investigation for a little while to look at these. So although we did not answer he question we went to solve, the day was still very profitable and as usual we learned a number of things. ============================================== Editorial ============================================== I would like to comment a little bit on the topic of gasoline coupons for US forces in Europe. In short, I think that they are neat. I think that they belong in an MPC collection because they were part of the currency control system that started in 1945. One of the little noticed aspect of the coupons is that they were good in trade. That is, the soldier actually paid for the product with the coupon. It was NOT a ration item that also required a separate payment. Another thing that attract me to them is that they (the coupons) include security measures. Now we know that some of the Italian coupons were printed by the BEP! Larry saved me a little tidbit of information to relay here. The BEP coupons have the BEP imprint! All of this is interesting stuff and an area of emerging research. Someone could have a lot of fun researching this area. Finally, I must point out that some disagree with my enthusiasm over these items. Marv Mericle in particular has challenged me on this matter and we have discussed it many times. I would love to hear your opinion or even have Marv state his position here. Fred ============================================== Mail Call ============================================== Dear Gram, Checks for the scholarship fund should be made payable to the "Military Numismatists Scholarship." Any thoughts about what to do with the new advanced course? Should we offer a scholarship for that class at all? Should we set a goal as 3 basic scholarships to 1 advanced? Obviously this will be driven by the applicant pool, but we should do something to make our intentions known to everyone. Marcus ============================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS ============================================== 2002 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!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com