From: "MPCgram" To: Date: Friday, January 31, 2003 9:55 AM =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 841 Friday January 31, 2003 National Champion at Fest The national champion of MPC and military money collecting will be crowned at MPCFest IV. The champion will be the winner of the event called March Madness. This contest is a quiz game styled after the NCAA basketball tournament. Contestants will be paired against each other in the “pairings show” on Friday night (CBS?). Thereafter contestants will answer military money questions in a single elimination contest (ESPN2). The ultimate winner will be the national champion with appropriate recognition given here in the Gram and in the national numismatic print media. The first similar contest was held at Fest III. That was a team competition. Master of ceremonies for the event will be Wendell Wolka. Larry Smulczenski who created the event will be the announcer and Fred Schwan will be the judge. Questions will be taken from The Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates, World War II Remembered, and the MPCGram, and Fred Schwan’s senior high school yearbook. Mericle MPC and Others online By David Seelye The auction lots for the Lyn Knight auction at the Chicago Paper Money Exposition are available for viewing on line at www.LynKnight.com. Of course for Gramsters, the highlight of the sale is the Marv Mericle collection of military payment certificates, but many other military notes are included. Readers should go to: http://www.lynknight.com/auctions =========================================== Editorial =========================================== You will recall that I about froze going to the Cleveland air port to pick up some books then had the trip topped off by receiving a traffic ticket for not having license plates. The final problem was that I was unable to pick up all of the books because of the unanticipated size of the shipment. After my bad luck on the first trip, I decided that I would have to rent a truck for the second part. Of course, if I had just rented the truck to star with, 1) only one trip would have been necessary, 2) only one day would have been necessary, 3) I would not have received the ticket. Nonetheless, I set out in the rented truck. It was cold, but not nearly as cold at the first time. Of course, since it was not as cold, I was better prepared this time—much better. I dug out long forgotten insulated army boots (German army boots at that) to top (bottom) off a wardrobe that would make any Lake Erie ice fisherman proud. Some other time we will discuss the amazing affliction in this part of the country that causes grown men (very, very few women (they are smarter)) walk (or drive) out on the ice to fish instead of stay home and work on their MPC collections. I admit to having ice fished, but the last time was 1959 (the year that I became a numismatist). So I was off to Cleveland. Visibility was great, life was good. I smirked more than a little as I approached the warehouse in my ice fishing outfit and documents in hand. I had been very careful to maintain the papers because I was told that they would be necessary and the first fork lift driver had carefully attached the copies to the remaining carton at the end of the first trip. I tried an end run on the system by looking for the fork lift driver without going through the office. You will recall that “through the office” is a metaphor because drivers like me are not actually allowed in the office but made to stand outside. I sort of looked forward to doing that as a test for my ice fishing uniform, but still, I decided to try to avoid the office because there was still the possible issue of storage charges because I had exceeded the magic number of days. I also was afraid this time that I might be escorted into the warm office to suffer the opposite problem of the first trip. Instead the office person virtually ignored me once she realized that I had paid all of the fees. Eventually the fork lift driver arrived then departed with my documents. A few minutes later (long enough for me to feel the cold through the German Army boots) he returned. He could not find the box. We set of together. I think that I told you that this is a large warehouse. Even I did not realize how large. Now I understand. Cleveland hopes to host the 2010 Winter Olympics in this building. Not just the figure skating or ice hockey, but the whole thing. Cross country skiing, all of it right there in that building. The only problem might be that it is doubtful that the place could be emptied of pallets by 2010. He gave up much faster than I did even though he had is NASA space walking suit and was riding on the fork lift. Of course the books were not his. Finally we found the box down in the corner across the county line. It was under some really dirty boxes. I think that they were of hoola hoops and pet rocks. Despite the hike to the ramp, loading went flawlessly except that I was a bit worried about the box falling off the pallet enroute. That would me right of course since we had made the mistake the first time of removing the shrink wrap. Nonetheless, the trip went well. I went to sleep that night thinking about unloading this thousand pounds of books. Over coffee in the morning, Judy suggested that I simply have the fork lift guy unload it just as he had loaded it. She probably does not know what a fork lift is, but having heard the above story (to her horror) it seemed obvious to her that a fork lift was the answer. After I criticized her for being so stupid to think that I had a fork lift available, I started to think. Heck, what is the advantage of being the boss if I have to do all of this manual labor? I decided to just tell the warehouse foreman that he and the clerk should unload the truck and that I would help when I finished with the next edition of WWII Remembered. Simple, brilliant, obvious. I went to the office. No supervisor. Could he have gone to the warehouse? Could he have known that this task was coming? I drove the truck to the warehouse. Of course it was snowing. When I arrived at the warehouse I knew that I was in trouble because the ample snow of the past few days (about which you have heard way too much) was blown against the doors. If was obvious that the guys were not there yet. I shoveled some snow (forgot the German Army boots today) then warmed in the cab of the truck. Denial. I was in denial. Complete and total. We do not have a warehouse supervisor, clerk, or any other helper. We never have. Well, maybe we have. I am the warehouse clerk and supervisor too unless you consider Judy to be the supervisor (she has never been to the warehouse—thank goodness). How many trips from the truck to the back of the warehouse does it take to unload 1000 books? I cannot take a thousand trips, but it seemed like it. At the end of the ordeal, I was no longer cold (I was sweating), but my hands were curled (permanently?), my back and arms ached terribly, and I was filthy, but the job was done!! The very best news was that the warehouse is only a short drive from a McDonalds and a hot cup of coffee (truthfully the third trip and cup). I sat there feeling some satisfaction for a job well done (even if it was not) and for the first time started studying Guido’s book. It really is good on several levels. The review will be part three of this adventure! Fred =========================================== Mail Call =========================================== Dear ED-- You hit the "good" part in the last paragraph of your editorial. Right now 4.08% is a pretty darn "good" rate of return. Banks are only giving about 3% on certificates of deposit. So if there are any Gramsters that can't find enough "good" notes to spend their money on, here is a pretty "good" investment vehicle with a "good" rate of return. Plus if you hurry you can still end up with a "good" picture of Chief Joseph. How much "good"-er than that can you get. "Good" to know that you read the article though. "Good"-nite--Thurski Dear Editor, Well nock me down. It never occurred to me that you could be talking about a good investment instead of good numismatic news. I suppose that the reason for that is that I have not had any money to “invest” since 1971. Beyond the 4.08%, the EE and I bonds are not subject to state a local taxes making them even better investments for those of us who are not refugees in a state w/o income taxes. I also thought that it was good that you read my editorial! Editor Dear Editor, In reading your book on MPCs I ran across the rarity scale for MPC replacements. I also collect fractional currency, and I'm familiar with its rarity scale, however, the numbers for MPC replacements obviously do not correspond with those. What are the parameters for each of the R numbers? If I missed it in your book perhaps you can refer me to the page where the information can be found. Thanks! Chuck Armstrong Dear Chuck, Thank you for noticing the rarity ratings in the MPC book. I did not use a strict scale to create the ratings. I thought that it was too rigid and that it might be more useful to use absolute ratings and some judgment. Now that I look back on it, I am not so sure and certainly I should have had this discussion in the book if I did not provide a scale. Thanks for writing. Dear Editor, There is a nice article about Marv Mericle, with photo, and his MPC collection in the February 4, 2003 edition of "Numismatic News." I am picking up Bob Drew at 1:52PM at the Cleveland airport. Is he registered? David Dear David (and Robert), Thanks. No, we did not have Robert on the list—but he is now! He is the 12th new Fester so we have hit that goal and he makes the 39th registrant so we are getting close to another threshold there. Editor =========================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS =========================================== 2003 February 1 deadline for Fest auction material. Send material to: Philip M. Goldstein P.O. Box 641 Highmount, NY 12441-0641 or Larry Smulczenski Box 263 Shalimar, FL 32579 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$$, Marcus Turner$, Tom Warburton, Mark Watson$, Bill Yanchick, Nancy$ and John Wilson#, Bill McNease, Cuneyd Tolek#, Wendel Wolka#, Al Glaser$$, Ian Marshal, John Cheney?, Wes and Rod Hardy, Sam Feeback, George Fitzgerald, Kevin Neidy#, Bill Haines#, Ed Beaman$$, Marv Mericle, Cameron Bueschel#$, Tiffany Bueschel#, Russ Walsh, Robert Drew#. Registration fee: $148 double occupancy $198 single occupancy (including meals and motel). Payments may be sent to BNRPress, 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452 or via PayPal to fredschwan@yahoo.com. Suggested airports in order of desirability: Toledo, Cleveland, Detroit (attempts will be made to provide ground transportation to/from these airports (coordinate w/Sparky Watson mcwatson@yahoo.com) $$ = Paid. Running total: 39, #=new fester (running total 12 new Festers). Fest Auxiliary: Jane Talso, Judy Schwan, Mrs. Freyser. Coordinate arrival and departure with adjutant Sparky Watson: mcwatson@yahoo.com The Fest will be held at the same location as the past two years: Holiday Inn Express 50 NE Catawaba Road Port Clinton, OH 43452 Phone 419 732-7322 DO NOT MAKE RESERVATIONS AT THE HOTEL OR PAY ANYTHING DIRECTLY TO THE HOTEL!!! Fest IV Training Schedule (Draft) Friday 28 February 1200-1800 inprocess Watson 1800-1930 chow mess sergeant 1800-2230 exhibits (concurrent) Joe Boling 1930-2030 group therapy Gary Hicks 2030-2130 pay call paymaster May 2130-2200 March madness pairings Wendell Wolka 2200-2300 March madness first round Wendell Wolka 2300-2330 bull session 2330 exhibits must be removed Boling 2331 px, canteen closed Tom Koch 2400 lights out first sergeant Saturday 1 March 0400-0600 10k run, 3k swim (ice permitting) first sergeant 0600-0641 work detail laying out Series 641 0641 photo detail in messhall 0600-0800 chow first sergeant 0830-1000 show n tell Gail Baker 1000-1100 March Madness round II Wolka 1100-1230 snow n tell Gail Baker 1230-1245 company picture Hardy and Hardy 1245-1315 chow mess sergeant 1315-1630 bourse Seelye 1630-1745 show n tell Baker 1745-1800 nap individual 1800-1845 chow mess sergeant 1900-1930 March Maness finals Wolka 1930-1945 awards John Wilson 2000-2400 RVN poker game reenactment Schrier 2000-2100 auction lot viewing (concurrent) 2400 canteen closes, lights out 2401 bed check Sunday 2 March 0400-0600 10k run, 3k swim (ice permitting) first sergeant 0600-0700 chow mess sergeant 0700-0730 destruction of MFC 011 (from last year) Bill McNease 0730-0830 auction lot viewing Goldstein/Ski 0845-1030 auction 1100-1230 police call and early departures Watson 1230-1315 chow mess sergeant 1315-1500 field trip (TBA) Judy 1500-1800 pool party Jodi Foster Monday 3 March 0830-0900 breakfast Holiday Inn 0900- final departure Coordinating instructions: Show n tell contact Gail Baker (education@money.org) Arrival and departure coordination: Mark Watson MCW@qnet.com Auction items coordinate : Larry Smulczenski skifla@prodigy.net, Phil Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com Exhibits contact joeboling@aol.com March 12, deadline for Bank Note Reporter MPC issue. Submitt your ads and editorial material for this special issue. Contact Mary Roloff: roloffm@krause.com. 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 application for military money scholarship http://www.papermoneyworld.net/news/MilitaryNumismatists Scholarship Fund 2003.pdf 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 Chris Connell Bill Haines Joel Shafer Mikhail (Misha) Istomin Gary Hicks Robert Drew Contact me at: "Marcus Turner" mailto: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 IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION The last information given in the gram did not include the official release of application/donation information. This information can be found at the link below. We encourage everyone to print copies of this information and distribute it to those who might be interested. Further you are encouraged to e-mail the pdf document to anyone you see fit. Thank you http://www.papermoneyworld.net/news/Military Numismatists Scholarship Fund 2003.pdf Marcus Turner Scholarships from the ANA: See the following location for an application for financial aid to the summer seminar: http://www.money.org/sumsemfin.html =========================================== MPC ANA Museum Project =========================================== ANA collection of MPC: Thanks to donations from Douglas Bell, Dick Fryser, Ed Beaman, David Seelye, Philip Goldstean, Michael Cummings, Ray Czahor, David Pitchford and Mr 691the ANA MPC collection is current as follows: Series 100 - [50 sen], [1Y, 5Y, 10Y, 20Y all A underprint] Series 461 - 5, [10] cents, [$1] Series 471 - [5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $10] Series 472 - [5, 10 cents], [$1, $10] Series 481 - 5 cents, [10, 25 cents], 50 cents, $1, [$5] $10 Series 521 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, [$10] Series 541 - 5, 10, 25 cents Series 591 - [5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1] Series 611 - [5, 10, 25 cents, $1] Series 641 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1, $5, $10 Series 651 - [$1] Series 661 - [10, 25, 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 ============================================ For Sale ============================================ For Sale: 50" X 29" Nazi flag with 6 other Nazi/German patches. Spice up your collection with these. Contact Frank Clark at frank_spmc@yahoo.com =========================================== RESEARCH =========================================== New modification to the database you can now retrieve your password if you have forgotten at the main logon screen. Keep in mind syntax is important. The mpc database has changed its name it now going to be refered as, WW II P a p e r M o n e y D a t a B a s e This is just a hint of things to come If you are having truble loging on please inform doug bell At doug@papermoneyworld.net 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 http://www.thempcman.net/, mailto: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. 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. =========================================== 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