From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 811 Date: Sunday, December 22, 2002 10:56 PM =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 811 Monday December 23, 2002 The Discontinuance of Scrip by David Klinger Here is some fresh information regarding the use of MPC in Germany, France, and Italy. I have been reading portions of the US Army Europe (USAREUR) command histories and I came across an interesting section in the Annual Historical Report for 1 July 57 - 30 June 58. This particular report was downgraded from SECRET to Unclassified on 4 February 2001. These files are scans rather than text files, so I had to transcribe the section (i.e. ignore any typos). I have a few comments after the following quoted article [footnotes deleted]: "The Discontinuance of Scrip. In September 1955 the Department of Defense had formulated the policy of discontinuing the use of military payment certificates (MPC, or scrip) wherever possible and advantageous. While the Federal Republic of Germany had indicated no objections to the use of dollar currency as early as 1956, other European nations in the MPC area had not agreed to such a change. During FY 1957 detailed plans had been prepared for a conversion from MPC to the use of United States currency. However, the unfavorable situation that had arisen in Europe as a result of the Suez and Hungarian crises had delayed the implementation of existing plans. Even so, planning had advanced so far that relatively little notice would be required to take action. Discussions concerning the advisability of a conversion to dollars were resumed in November 1957, when a USAREUR representative attended a conference in Washington at which Treasury Department officials and representatives of the Office of the Chief of Finance reached certain tentative conclusions. Since the Treasury Department no longer raised objections, U.S. coins could be introduced into the U.S. area of responsibility in Germany as soon after 1 January 1958 as the needed coins could be collected and transported to Europe. Because of the implications of such action with regard to the public debt ceiling, paper currency could not be introduced before 1 July 1958, however. While the Treasury Department intended to approach the French and Italian governments on the subject, it was doubted that permission to use dollar currency in those countries would be granted. At the same time it was decided to use U.S. Treasury checks for all official dollar disbursements in Germany as soon as check forms could be made available. In December 1957, after the decision had been made to introduce coin by 1 March 1958, the immediate shipment of $3 million worth of U.S. coin was requested. However, preferring uniform currency policies throughout the command, USAREUR recommended that the use of U.S. currency be delayed until France and Italy joined Germany in accepting the use of U.S. currency. While the Department of the Army conceded the reasonableness of this view, the introduction of U.S. currency into West Germany was to proceed in any case. In the meantime, negotiations with France and Italy were continuing, and it was felt that the execution of the changeover in West Germany might influence those countries to change their positions on the subject. Moreover, since the public debt situation in the United States had eased, the Treasury Department had advised that paper currency would be available after 31 March. On 12 February the Department of the Army directed that the currency conversion was to take place as soon as preparations could be completed. USAREUR was assigned administrative responsibility for the operation, and USCINCEUR was to decide whether coin would be introduced first or in conjunction with paper currency later. The comptroller's staff prepared three plans for the conversion. An unclassified exchange with a maximum of advanced publicity could be made most easily and would permit prefunding of clubs, messes, post exchanges, and banks. One form of classified conversion would introduce coin on an unclassified basis with advanced publicity, giving a period of approximately one month to effect a gradual exchange of coins for fractional MPC; some two months later dollar notes would be introduced without announcement during a 1-day classified exchange. The third, and least desirable plan would introduce all currency on an unannounced 1-day-only, classified conversion as had been done in the past with MPC conversions. USAREUR recommended the first plan to USEUCOM since it would involve the least problems and there seemed to be no great need for secrecy. USEUCOM concurred and forwarded this recommendation to the Department of the Army. Early in April the command was advised that France had agreed to the use of dollars in that country and that the conversion would also apply there. At approximately the same time, however, the Department of the Army indicated that the currency conversion in West Germany and France would be part of a worldwide MPC conversion. Since the MPC change in other areas would have to be protected, the conversion in France and Germany would have to remain on the same security classification level as the over-all change. Although the changeover would be on a 1-day, crash basis, an 11-day grace period for the gradual withdrawal of fractional MPC from circulation was authorized following the change day. During the two weeks preceding the changeover--which took place on 27 May--the needed cash was distributed from the Karlsruhe finance office. Vans accompanied by convoys of armed guards were used to transport the money to the various disbursing offices. Four days before the conversion day Italy agreed to permit the use of dollar currency there, and aircraft had to be employed to ship the cash to USASETAF disbursing offices in time. Since security restrictions prevented the announcement of the conversion before 0100 hours on conversion day, and the Stars and Stripes deadline for stories was before midnight of the day before publication, the news had to be released by different means. Members of the command were made aware of the conversion through spot announcements over the Armed Forces Network stations at 15 minute intervals, beginning at 0600 hours of conversion day. In the conversion, only dollar notes of MPC's were exchanged for United States currency; fractional MPC's were removed from circulation by being taken in at retail outlets, and coin was introduced to replace them through the same sources in the routine giving of change over the 11-day period following the conversion." [and from the chronology section of the FY 1958 USAREUR History, a short entry] "May 27 [1958] - Dollar currency replaces military payment certificates in France, Germany, and Italy." [This means that MPC series 521 was the last series used in Germany, France, and Italy, unless, of course, MPC was reintroduced after the conversion to U.S currency and coin. I found no evidence of this in USAREUR histories. However, in Schwan MPC4 and in WWII Remembered it indicates that series 541 was used in these countries until 26 May 1961. I always wondered why I never saw any MPC during a port visit I made to Bremerhaven Germany aboard the destroyer USS Cassin Young (DD-793) in July 1958 - - now I know.] USAREUR web address: www.hqusareur.army.mil/ =========================================== Editorial =========================================== Wow, even without the matter of the use of MPC Series 541 in Europe, the lead story by Davd Klinger is wonderful and important. We have never seen such a discussion about the decision to discontinue MPC use in an area. It is VERY interesting. I must say that I am surprised at the fairly clear proof that 541 was not issued in Germany (France, and Italy). However, I have some lingering doubts. Of course it is easy to understand that an error could have been made years or decades ago and repeated many times. This would have been a very easy mistake to make since Series 541 continued in Asia. Army Regulation 37-103 [pg 311 in MPC4] lists a conversion date specifically for Series 591 in the European area. This is very confusing on several counts. When complaints were forwarded to Tudor Press about the quality of printing of Series 541, representatives went with Department of Defense personnel to the field for an inspection. I seem to recall that it specifically mentioned going to Germany for this inspection. I certainly stated it that way in the book, but I will have to verify this during my next research visit to the BEP. This is wonderful stuff. I have already included David’s story in the draft of MPC5! The museum MPC project list has been updated. Please see it below and consider filling in some holes in Colorado Springs. Fred =========================================== Mail Call =========================================== Hi Fred: Couple of items: (1) Correction to a correction before you remove the MPC book correction updates from the gram. page 214 for 541 50 cent replacement note, correct end number for 2nd printing should be F01112000 vice F1112000 (2) As per Joel Shafer notice, my JIM Specimen note collection will be auctioned by Lyn Knight on Thursday FEB 20th in Chicago at CPMX. (3) My new Japanese Invasion Money price list (JIM-2) is now ready for mailing or sending via email to gramsters. Edward B Hoffman, PO Box 6039-G, Elko, Nevada 89802-6039 E-mail: hoffman@rabbitbrush.com (4) Happy Holidays to you, Judy and staff. Many thanks, ED Dear Ed, Yes, I have a couple items too. First, I am confused about your correction. I cannot find a 50 cent ending number of F1112000 on page 214! However, there are some other corrections here that may or may not be listed below. The ending number of the second printing $1 replacement (855/r2) should be F01120000. Possibly this is the error that you were correcting. For $10 replacements, first and second printing show one each reported. First printing should be none reported and second should be five reported. If you will send me a copy of your JIM price list (electronic version), we will (probably) send it out with a Gram. Your collection of JIM specimens in the Knight Chicago sale sounds most interesting on several counts. That sale has the Mericle MPC regular issue collection so the combination makes for a powerful military money presence! Now for the big one! This makes for an ideal opportunity for you to come to the Fest! You can attend the Chicago show then come over to the Fest. Generally Harold Kroll, Larry Smulczenski, and Leo May at a minimum do this. It makes for extra opportunities for fun and notes. We can help with the necessary ground transportation. I assure you that you will have a good time at the Fest and I am equally sure that everyone will be very excited to have you there (er, here)! Editor Dear Gram I have some of these notes [that Howard wrote about] and knew the story about them. A local Viet translated them for me sometime ago and as I recall, they basically said "Do not send your sons and fathers and brothers to fight and die in the South!!" Lots of them out there and many have had the tag removed. Per a Special Ops pilot a few years ago, all the Viets who went North were captured, tortured and then killed. Knowing that the Crane "Paper" Co of Massachusetts makes ALL the material for the US "paper money," I suspect they had something to do with it. It would be interesting to know the connection. Nick =========================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS =========================================== 2002 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, Howard Daniel, David Amey, Rod and Wes Hardy, (with table), Al Glaser, Bill Yanchick, Ian Marshall [with table], John and Nancy Wilson, 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, Cuneyd Tolek†, Wendel Wolka†, Al Glaser, Ian Marshal. 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: 27, †=new fester (running total 5 new Festers). 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 Memphis International Paper Money Show: 13-15 June, Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main St., Memphis TN 38103-1623 Military Numismatics Summer Seminar Session I dates are Saturday, June 28, to Friday, July 4; session II, Saturday, July 5 to Friday, July 11, 2003 Link for more and general information: http://www.money.org/sumsem2003.html Link to photos from Seminar II http://www.money.org/summer2002images5.html PCDA National and World Paper Money Convention. November 19-23, 2003. St. Louis Hilton Airport Hotel, 10330 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63134. ======================================== 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 Leo May John & Nancy Wilson Max Spiegel Gail Baker 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 =========================================== MPC ANA Museum Project =========================================== ANA collection of MPC: Thanks to donations from Ed Beaman, Michael Cummings, David Pitchford, Marcus Turner, and Mr. 691 the ANA MPC collection is current as follows: Series 100 - [50 sen], [1Y, 5Y, 10Y, 20Y all A underprint] Series 461 - 5 cents Series 471 - None Series 472 - [5 cents], [$10] Series 481 - 5 cents, [10 cents,] 50 cents, $1, $10 Series 521 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, [$10] Series 541 - 5, 10, 25 cents Series 591 - [$1] Series 611 - [5, 10, 25 cents] Series 641 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1, $5, $10 Series 651 - [$1] Series 661 - [10, 50c], [$5], [$1, $5] $10 Series 681 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1, [$5], [$20] Series 691 - [$1, $5, $10, $20] Series 692 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1 Series 701 - [$1, $5, $10, $20] [50c etc.] = notes donated by Gramsters --Chris Connell ANA Museum Collection Manager 818 Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903 collections@money.org =========================================== RESEARCH =========================================== Papermoneyworld maintains an innovative interactive data base of all military payment certificates. Everyone is invited to enter notes in their possession or that they have observed. Visit the site at: http://www.papermoneyworld.net/user/default.asp this project is financially supported by David Seelye www.thempcman.net, coinman@rochester.rr.com =========================================== 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) 647 8938 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 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 Pomexport Ltd. 1-201-641-6641 / Fax: 1-201-641-1700 E-Mail: Info@pomexport.com // website: http://www.Pomexport.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: I have extra ship chits for sale/trade as follows. Will sell at price below or will trade for equivalent items: U.S.S. Wyoming .05 Soda Fountain Only mint /$35.00 U.S.S. Henderson .05 Ships Service AU /$25.00 U.S.S. Tangier (AV8) .05 Ship's Service Mint/$30.00 U.S.S. Melville .05 Ship's Service Store Mint/$30.00 U. S. S. Plattsburg Mess (no value/mess ticket) believe to be from WWI/$35.00 Tom Koch kochfam@gte.net 425/228-5946 Series 651 Twenty-Five Cents Note in UNC. Have three (3) available: SPECIAL FOR GRAMSTERS: $550.00 POSTPAID. Series 651 $5.00 Notes in AU/UNC Four (4) Available SPECIAL FOR GRAMSTERS: $125.00 POSTPAID Thank you. Continental Coin Investors, Inc. 3123 N. HWY 98 Lakeland, FL 33805-2103 Tel 863-603-9899 Fax 863-603-9880 Toll Free 866-603-9899 WEBSITE: www.internet4coins.com Email: mpccoin@hotmail.com Email: mpccoin@ozline.net $ 10.00 Series 521 MPC Note please contact camiller05@hotmail.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 Rendezvous with Destiny MFC Series 022 souvenir notes. Paying up to five times face value. Put your for sale notice in the Gram. I would like to list my Christmas want list. I'm looking for the following notes: Series 100 Supplemental A yen - the 100 yen note. Series 100 Supplemental B yen - the 1,000 yen note. Series 521 .25 cent, 3rd printing. Series 521 .50 cent, 2nd printing. Series 521 $5.00, 2nd printing. Thank you, I hope someone has these notes for sale. Gary Wanted : Japan Occupation Malaya 10 cent 2 letters , Burma 1 & 5 cent 2 letters ! High grade preferred ! Looking to buy 1 each all EVEN and all ODD serial numbers on a Series 681 $1note, Uncirculated or better. Also, I personally consider any zero in the serial number to be an even digit. =========================================== 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! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com