From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 778 Date: Saturday, November 16, 2002 11:25 PM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 778 Saturday November 16, 2002 Currency Restrictions in RVN By Phil “IWANTMYMPC” Goldstein While browsing the internet, I came across this website which had some quick statements regarding the use of MACV Ration Cards for use in Vietnam. Pay particular attention to paragraphs 7 and 9: DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 57th Signal Company (COMSEC Logistic Support) APO San Francisco 96491 SCCPV-UG-CR-CO 21 October 1969 SUBJECT: Information Letter to Incoming Personnel 1. Welcome to the 57th Signal Company (CLS). As a member of this unit, you will be a part of the United States' military effort to aid the Republic of Vietnam. Our mission is to operate a Communications Security (COMSEC) Logistics Support Center for U. S. Army Forces in Vietnam. We provide overseas depot, general and direct logistics support for COMSEC aids (codes, authentication systems, COMSEC equipment keying material, and crypto-marked publications), COMSEC equipment and accessories, COMSEC design controlled repair parts designated by the National Security Agency, and COMSEC special tools and test equipment. Additionally we provide general and direct support maintenance on COMSEC equipments in support of U.S. Army Forces, other supported unites and activities, and other forces in RVN as directed. 2.The 57th Signal Company (CLS) is under the operational control of the 160th Signal Group. This unit is organized into a Center Headquarters, located at Long Binh, and six COMSEC Logistic Support Units (CLSU's) located in Can Tho, Long Binh, Tan Son Nhut, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang, and Phu Bai. Additionally we have seven COMSEC Divisional Contact Detachments, (CDCD teams) organized under their own TOE's for direct support to the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Air Cavalry Division, Americal Division, 4th Infantry Division, 9th Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, and the 101st Airborne Division. 3. The history of this unit is an impressive one and dates back to 4 December 1943 when the company was first constituted as the 3110th Signal Service Battalion. On 18 June 1947 it was redesignated as the 77th Signal Service Battalion. The company was inactivated 5 March 1949 in Germany and was again activated on 12 March 1953 in Korea. On 15 April 1954 it was reorganized as the 57th Signal Company. On 13 May 1955 the unit was inactivated and reactivated on 8 August 1957 in Korea. Again it was inactivated on 15 November 1967 in Korea. It was reactivated 24 February 1969 in Vietnam. The 57th Signal Company participated in World War II-EAME Campaign in Northern France and Central Europe. In the Korean War, Summer 1953 Campaign. The unit has been awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, European Theater Streamer. 4. The normal tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam is 12 months. The tour may be voluntarily extended. Personnel who extend for a period of six months or longer are authorized a non-chargeable leave of 30 days with free travel to anywhere in the world. The leave must be taken during the period between 90 days prior to the end of the original tour and 30 days after the original tour. This leave is not deductible from the length of the tour of duty in Vietnam. 5. The Viet Cong are actively engaged in terrorist activities in Vietnam. It is necessary to be alert at all times. The wide variety of hazards demand the maximum physical security measures possible under existing circumstances. 6. Maintenance of health in Vietnam is extremely important. Some points to remember are: a. All water is considered unsafe to drink unless you are specifically told by U.S. authorities that it has been treated and is potable. Exercise the similar caution where foods are concerned. b. A malaria tablet (chloroquine-primaquine) must be taken every week while you are in Vietnam and for eight weeks after you depart. Personnel stationed in some areas of the country will also take a dapsone tablet each day. c. Good personal hygiene is a necessity for prevention of typhus. Keep your immunizations up-to-date. 7. MACV ration cards are issued to all individuals. The following restrictions apply: a. Cards are not transferable. b. Sections of the card may not be removed from the central portions. Any card without the original four sections intact is void. c. Exchange merchandise may not be transferred by sale, gift, exchange, or loan except as provided in the appropriate directives. d. Cards may not be sold, bartered, or placed in pawn. Only one card per individual is authorized. 8. Merchandise imported to Vietnam and merchandise purchased at a PX may not be released in any manner to Vietnamese nationals, or other residents of Vietnam who are not entitled to duty-free importation privileges. Bone fide gifts of a value of $10 or less are exempt form this prohibition providing the gift is not a limited purchase item or is not purchased in a commissary or Quartermaster clothing sales store. 9. As part of a continuing to campaign to eliminate the black market in Vietnam, new restrictions have been placed on currency transactions. The first phase of this program is the introduction of a currency control form and the establishment of a $200 per month limit on the amount of MPC that can: (1) be converted to U.S. currency or dollar instruments, (2) be deposited in bank accounts and the Uniform Savings Deposits Program (USSDP). In the case of deposits to the USSDP on pay day, you may deposit any amount in cash not to exceed the amount of cash received across the pay table providing you make the deposit on pay day and show a copy of your pay voucher. The restrictions mean, for example, that you cannot go to the bank each month with your pay and make a cash deposit of more than $200, you may either make an allotment to the bank or be paid by an MPC check and deposit the check to the account. 10. R & R is available to Bangkok, Tokyo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Honolulu for five to seven days. Personnel must be in-country 90 days before taking R&R. There is an in-country R&R center at Vung Tau where enlisted personnel and company grade officers may go on a three-day pass. An R&R center is also located at Cam Ranh Bay for E-5's and below. 11.It is my hope that your tour with the 57th Signal Company in the Republic of Vietnam will be both a pleasant and rewarding experience for you. Should you be confronted with a problem that you cannot resolve and wish any advice or assistance from me, my door is always open to the personnel of this command. WILLIAM H. BLATTI Lieutenant Colonel, SigC Commander ============================================== Editorial ============================================== As many of you know, Phil Goldstein has made something of a specialty out of MACV currency control cards, so he was no doubt excited to find the above mention thereof. For me, the interesting part is how the hobby has developed so that we have specialists in areas that were unknown or little appreciated just a few years ago. I love it, and I do not see the trend changing. However, the landscape may well change. What other areas might become specialties in the years ahead? Of course there is no way to know except to travel the road. It should be fun. Fred ============================================== Mail Call ============================================== Dear Editor, While unable to sleep early this morning, I realized I was looking at a photo of tree on crushed house at Port Clinton, Ohio. Even in my stupor, I eventually recognized the name. I hope that everything is well with all of you. This also makes me realize that I am no longer receiving the MPCGram; we sent a change of address, but I wonder whether it was received? Please do resubscribe us. Best, Bill Dear Bill, Yes, we has an amazing tornado attack here in PC. Quite a few houses destroyed, but no fatalities. Power restored only three days later. The mayor called to guarantee that he would have everything in order in time for the Fest. Editor Hi! Can you still send gram #775?? I didn't receive it! Thanks Guy! Dear Editor, You let Gram number 777 go by without commentary. What gives? Joe Dear Joe, We were hoping that someone would comment thus saving us the work. Of course you could have commented more than that we had not commented! Editor ============================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS ============================================== 2002 WESPMEX:29 November - 1 December Westchester Paper Money Exposition - 160 Dealers Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY St. Louis paper money show 21-24 November December 7, opening of World War II Numismatics exhibition at American Numismatic Association Museum, Colorado Springs, CO. [Warner Talso confirmed, Fred Schwan likely] 2003 FUN Florida United Numismatists, Orlando, 9 - 12Jan 2003 Confirmed table holders and attendees [Leo May (table), Fred Schwan (table), David Seelye (table), Larry Smulczenski (table w/Schwan), Harold Kroll, Marcus Turner, others please confirm. 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$$, Fred Schwan, David Seelye, Nick Shrier, Larry Smulczenski, Warner Talso, Marcus Turner, Tom Warburton, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Tom Koch, Nancy and John Wilson, Bill McNease, Cuneyt Tolek Registration fee: $148 double occupancy $198 single occupancy (including meals and motel). Payments may be sent to BNRPress, 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452 or via PayPal to fredschwan@yahoo.com. Suggested airports in order of desirability: Toledo, Cleveland, Detroit (attempts will be made to provide ground transportation to/from these airports) $$ = Paid Running total: 24 ANA National Money Show, March 21-23, 2003, Charlotte (NC) Convention Center, Contact ANA Convention Department at convention@money.org or JoeBoling@aol.com for forms to exhibit. Hours are 10-6:30 Friday & Saturday & 10-2 Sunday. Hotels are The Westin Charlotte (704-375-2623) and the nearby Hampton Inn Charlotte Uptown (704-373-0917). Howard Daniel will be manning a joint NI/NBS/IBNS club table where Gramsters can meet each other. He is also conducting a joint NI/IBNS meeting on Saturday and invites all Gramsters to the meeting's show and tell session and to meet other collectors with similar interests. Masstricht April 4-6, Valkenburg, The Netherlands, contact Jos Eijsermans, Box 3240, NL 5930 Tegelen Netherlands ======================================== 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 Pam West Mr. 691 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 RBalbaton@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) 586-4672 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) 720-0695 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. FOR SALE: 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 – MPC from position 8 and all military money counterfeits. 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!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your site http://webhosting.yahoo.com