From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 750 Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 9:10 AM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 750 Tuesday Oct 15, 2002 Target Practice By Joe Boling Well, I've been back from London a week, and am just getting around to reading the grams that were posted during the week I was gone and in the week since I returned. So tonight will probably be mostly comments on those grams. I see that nobody said what the #2 note actually sold for. Why not? Do you think we all have time to play with eBay? Would it be so hard for someone to quote the final price, instead of talking about what bids they left with an e-snipe service (what kind of collecting is this, and what kind of commission do THEY charge), or that Fred was only $25 back, or that (apparently) Seelye bought the note? (It was $3777.77, for those of you who, like me, haven't taken the time to go find it.) (And what does the narcissistic ME by coinman's and mpccoin's bids stand for?) Try Subway Stamp and Coin in New York for UV lamps. Be sure to specify that you want the long-wave light for paper money, not the short-wave light for US stamps. Fred keeps ignoring my inputs on this distinction. I don't know what kind of lamps they have at present (portable or plug-in). The one I use is a Scanmaster MD-188 with the 360-nanometer bulb. It uses 110v power; I bought it from World Wide Notaphilic Service, PO Box 5427, Vallejo, CA 94591. Phone 707-644-3146. The proprietor is Josef Klaus. I have had mine for five years; I have no idea whether Klaus still stocks them. It was $35 in 1997. The portable UV lights offered by Bob Reis (Anything Anywhere, referenced by Howard Daniel in gram 747 as BLACKLIGHT, small, handheld unit, and CHEAP. While they last: 17.50) were all sold this summer. The lamps he received when he restocked are unacceptable. They activate the UV inks VERY dimly, to the extent that in ordinary room light you cannot see the glow. I ordered four or six units from him (don't recall now) for ANA; only two were the $17.50 variety, which worked well. The others were more expensive, and I returned them because of their shortcomings. About the WWII exhibit at ANA, Steamed Editor writes "One important thing from the Gram [sic - why is this capitalized?] side of the house is to decide if we want to try to make a special effort to get gramsters to attend the opening and have a special social event of our own. Possibly we can do this but not at the opening?" Why on earth would we want to do something that did not include the opening? If we're not going to be there for the opening, I'm sure not going to bother showing up three days later. Editor, what were you thinking here? Surely something other than what you wrote. Back on the subject of the #2 series 651 $5 note that sold on eBay. The Fred/David exchange in gram 749 seems to say that each of them put his last bid in through a sniping service, and that neither was a reaction to the other. Since they were placed one second apart, and were within $26 of each other at the $3750 level, and the second place bid was more than $1200 above the third place bid, placed ten hours earlier, we can make a strong inference that this really is what the note is worth. Two independent knowledgeable bidders thought that a bid at this level would win the lot (and were willing to pay it). Now, I have a question about the sniping service(s). Did they use the same one? Did the service look at the two bids it had received for the same lot and send them out sequentially so as to force the final price to the highest bid level? Some bid executors at live sales (working on commission for collectors, not the auction houses themselves) who have competing bids from different customers will withhold the lower bid, allowing the higher bidder to win the lot at a level below than would have been forced if two bidders had been working on the floor (I wonder what position the anti-trust mavens take on that as a form of collusive bidding?). Or do we have a case of one sniping service cutting things just ever so much finer than the other? If the bids had been executed in reverse order, would we have seen the lower bid? One of you eBay aficionados, explain how the bids would have been displayed if David's bid came in after Harold's, was shown as an advance over Harold's but not to the full level of the bid, then Fred's came in, forcing David's to advance closer to his maximum. Would all three iterations of David/Fred/David be shown in the bid history, or just the two levels of David's bid (such as the several places in the earlier bids on this item, where the same bidder has successive bids)? I'm glad it was not a position #8 note (but then, it could not have had a low serial number--any reader who does not understand why, inquire). ============================================== Editorial ============================================== It was pointed out to me by Wilder Quinn that the financial details divulged yesterday are a distinct advantage to the Gram. He said that unless we have cooked the books to reduce income, the current level of Gram earnings will greatly reduce or eliminate the likelihood of executive fraud. That will keep the Gram from being a target of SEC investigations and allow the Gram to continue distributing vital information. Joe seems to have been in a real bad state of mind, but his column is not soporific (it never is), AND it gives me some more things to comment on. I doubt if many readers (other than Joe and I) would be interested in a discussion on capitalization, but here goes. It seems clear to me that MPCGram is a proper noun. Using the word Gram to mean MPCGram makes it a proper noun in my view. Of course, if MPCGram is a proper noun as the title of a publication (which it is), then it should be in italics. There are two problems with that. First, many publications (at least some) choose to omit the italics when they use their own title. The bigger problem is that in general the italics do not get sent or received over the ether so we do not try to put them in. Now that I think about it, we probably should so that they will be in place if we use the text elsewhere. On the matter of the museum. It was my thought that we Gramsters (same derived proper noun discussion as above) might want to have a special event for ourselves. This would be especially true if we could get 10 or so collectors. If that were the case we could be VIP visitors and probably have some special events just for us. At the opening we will be participants in a larger event. It may or may not be a good idea. Sorry that you thought that it was crazy, Joe. Fred ============================================== Mail Call ============================================== Dear Gram, Question: how many replica MPC notes were printed? David Dear David, Wow what a simple, but good, question. I am sure that someone will tell us. Editor Dear Gram, I have been following in the GRAM, the discussion on the MPC copies that Dr. Chambliss produced and I am very surprised (even disappointed) with some of the opinions being expressed. First let me say that this is not the first instance of such reproductions of numismatic items. One that comes to mind immediately is a very good set of all Japanese Banknotes, all "laminated" and housed in an attractive album (which by the way Dr. Chambliss, would have been a great way to market yours--- MARKET?----ooh what an ugly word for those numismatic purists---these sets of MPC. The Japanese banknote copies were produced years ago by Bonanza, one of the leading numismatic magazines (and publisher of various numismatic works) at the time in Japan. By the way, a complete set of Japanese notes would, monetarily, make the price of a complete MPC set look like chump change in comparison. I fail to see how these copies would ever dampen the interest in obtaining and collecting REAL MPC notes. On the contrary I think that it could only help (AND ALREADY HAS) the collecting of MPC notes. Admittedly, I bought quite a number of these sets from Dr. Chambliss and have both sold them and given them away. I thought they were quite well done. We also made a couple of fantastic displays for a backdrop for our bourse table for display at various shows around the country and I must say, most people are really impressed at this colorful, interesting display. By using copies you can do this easily and not have to worry about security concerns. An entire set of MPC displayed is quite a beautiful sight and arouses a lot of interest. At the first show displaying this set we sold lots of books on MPC as they become interested in the series. One fellow who I will not name as I am not sure he would want to be singled out in the gram (as he now gets it) first bought the 3rd edition of Schwan, AND a set of the copies. A few days later he called me and wanted to spring for the 4th Edition, another set of the copies (for a friend)and a couple REAL MPC notes. Link to photo of bourse display: www.papermoneyworld.net/grams/700-799/images/mpcdisplay3.jpg I just finished a show in Lakeland this weekend (the same show this collector made the purchase of the first copies at) and he bought several hundred dollars worth of MPC for his collection today.. He told me that he was very near complete now and had been buying from other dealers, one in NY. Even though I bought these copy sets, I decided not to market them other than at shows and to dealers that wanted to imitate my display for the walls in their shops and offices. I decided not to put them on eBay or in ads, although I see nothing wrong with this. As far as these sets diminishing the desire to obtain real, genuine notes I cannot agree, as no one would ever be satisfied with collecting copies of these notes in place of the real thing. Part of collecting is "filling that hole" and I doubt any true collector would ever fool himself into believing that a copy of the 541 $5 or 471 $5 "completes" his set. Mike Cummings Hello Gramsters! (reference: Phil's Article) I too have thought about the "replicas" and "Phil's" great extensive article! After pondering for weeks and reviewing Phil's point of view, I have come to the conclusion that I would have felt a "LOT" better if the word "COPY" was also included on the front of the notes also! This would insure both the obvious and subltle effects these pieces will have on the hooby. They would will be less "threatening," which was my "first " impression! On another matter: I was recording my replacements/printings when I noticed a Monor error: Page 221 887/1r reads "J04000000" instead of "J00400000" (reference: #641 $10 r.) Guy Araby! ============================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS ============================================== 2002 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 !!!!! Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention, November 7-10 2002. Baltimore Convention Center. Hours are Fri-Sat 10AM- 7 PM. Sunday 10AM-4PM. Included will be a Bowers and Merena Auction and an Auction by Presidential Coins and Medals of exonumia and political memorabilia. [Len Harsel reports that he will have a table at this show] St. Louis paper money show 21-24 November 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 December 7, opening of World War II Numismatics exhibition at American Numismatic Association Museum, Colorado Springs, CO. 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$$, Fred Schwan, David Seelye, Nick Shrier, Larry Smulczenski, Warner Talso, Marcus Turner, Tom Warburton, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Tom Koch, Nancy and John Wilson, Bill McNease $$ = Paid Running total: 23 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 Warner Talso Contact me at: "Marcus Turner" maturner@indy.rr.com Checks should be made out to the "Military Numismatists Scholarship". 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. Denomination CATALOG # PRINT # GRADE PRICE AMC ALLIED MILITARY CURRENCY FRANCE 2 FRANC P114A CU $6.00 5 FRANC P115A CU $7.50 50 FRANC P117A VF+ $8.50 50 FRANC P122A VF $5.00 P122A XF $15.00 P122B 2 FRANCS XF $20.00 P122C 3 VF+ $15.00 100 FRANC P118A XF- $7.00 P123C 4 XF $8.00 GERMANY 1/2 MARK P191A VF+ $2.00 1 MARK P192A CU $6.00 5 MARK P193A XF+ $4.00 10 MARK P194A VF+ $15.00 P194A XF $20.00 20 MARK P195A VF+ $10.00 P195A AU $25.00 50 MARK P196B XF $15.00 100 MARK P197A VF+ $5.50 P197A XF $7.50 P197D XF $15.00 AMC ALLIED MILITRAY CURRENCY ITALY 1 LIRE PM10A CU $4.00 PM10B CU $4.00 2 LIRE PM11A AU $3.00 5 LIRE PM18A CU $6.00 PM18B XF $4.00 10 LIRE PM13A XF $8.00 SPOTS ON REVERSE PM19A CU $12.00 50 LIRE PM20A VG $1.50 100 LIRE PM15B XF+ $25.00 PM21A XF+ $18.00 PM21B XF- $12.00 500 LIRE PM22A VF $35.00 1000 LIRE PM23A VF $35.00 JAPAN 10 SEN P63 CU $7.00 P63 CU $50.00 8 CONSECUTIVE SERIAL NUMBERS 50 SEN P65 CU $7.00 1 YEN P67A CU $7.00 5 YEN P69A CU $12.00 10 YEN P71 VF $4.00 20 YEN P73 AU+ $30.00 100 YEN P75 VG $3.50 BELGIUM 10 FRANCS P122 XF- $5.00 MORROCCO 2 FRANC P43 G $0.50 50 CENTIMES P41 VF $2.00 Allied Military Currency from MPC/ Gibbs Enterprizes P.O. Box 83 Gering, NE 69341 (308)635-7900 oth@prairieweb.com TERMS: Make checks payable to Gibbs Enterprizes. Personal checks are OK but allow 14 days for them to clear. Add $1.00 for postage and $1.10 for insurance for orders over $15.00 up to $50.00. Add $2.20 for orders up to $100.00 and $3.20 for orders up to $200.00. Nebraska residents add appropriate state and local sales tax. All items are one of a kind and subject to prior sale. We are always looking for MPC and AMC. Let us know what you have For sale or trade. Want lists are welcome. No obligation to buy if we have it, but we will let you know if we get it. Ten day return privilege on all items, but we would appreciate a reason for the return so we know what was wrong. Thanks! Have it above, sorry for the screwy format on the terms. Thanks, Larry Military Payment Certificates & Allied Military Currency from MPC/ Gibbs Enterprizes P.O. Box 83 Gering, NE 69341 (308)635-7900 oth@prairieweb.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 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!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com