What is MPC?
  In a nutshell, Military Payment Certificates "MPC" is an issue of paper money issued to military personnel only stationed overseas.

Who used MPC?
  MPC was issued to US Military Personnel, both officers and enlisted men, stationed overseas ONLY, although recent evidence surfaced and was confirmed that Canadian Military Personnel stationed overseas were also issued US MPC in the mid-1950's. It was not issued to civilians nor can it have been redeemed by them.

  Later on in Vietnam, MPC was used by different military participants: Australia, Korea, Thailand, New Zealand and possibly by the Philippines, Republic of China,  & Spain. (At this time however usage by these countries are unconfirmed.)

What was it used for?
MPC was used for two purposes:

  1) To curtail excess expenditures accumulated by Military Forces stationed in occupying countries. This was achieved by not allowing local indigenous currency to be exchanged into dollar instruments.

  2) To curtail Black Market purchases & operations, by the non-acceptance of MPC from unauthorized personnel, from MPC spent in Black Markets.

How was this achieved?
  MPC was changed  "converted" on an unscheduled and irregular basis, with little advance notice. When US Military Authorities deemed it necessary, US Military Personnel were restricted to base, and base entrances were closed, so civilians and non-military personnel could not access the base. This was called "Conversion Day", or "C-Day" for short. Personnel then lined up outside the facility (building, tent, table etc...) and as they were called by name one at a time, they turned in the MPC in their possession, and received the exact amount of the following issue. MPC could only be exchanged when Military Personnel showed proper identification.

  When this was accomplished, the previous issue was deemed worthless. The base entrances were opened up again, and because the unauthorized personnel were essentially stuck holding the old issue, they were, in all respects holding worthless paper, that could not be used in trading with soldiers, or local civilians.

When was MPC first used and where?
  MPC was first issued as Series 461, on 16 September 1946 in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Morocco, Netherlands, Philippines Ryukyus, Scotland, Trieste & Yugoslavia.

  With subsequent issues, it was also used in Cyprus, Libya, Vietnam

Is MPC still used?
  No. MPC was last used in Korea in 1973.

Is MPC still redeemable?
  No, MPC ceased to have redeemable value when it was converted to the following issue. However, MPC is highly collectable, and some notes are worth several hundred to several thousand dollars. Others are only worth one or two dollars.

What does the Series Number mean?
  On an MPC note, the Series Number denoted the design year and the number of the design:

  Series 471: was designed in 1947, and was the first designed issue of 1947
 Series 472: was also designed in 1947, but was the second designed issue

What is the one or two digit number by itself on the front of the note?
 This is called the Position Number. This showed in what position the note came from on an uncut sheet of MPC notes. Different denominations had different amounts of notes printed on a single sheet. 

How can I tell the difference between a "regular" note and a "replacement" note?
 A regular issued note has a prefix letter, an eight digit serial number and suffix letter:
A12345678A
 A replacement note has only a prefix letter and the eight digit serial number, but no suffix letter:
A12345678