Status: U Return-Path: Received: from web5204.mail.yahoo.com ([216.115.106.85]) by tyner.mail.mindspring.net (Earthlink Mail Service) with SMTP id t9jq4r.b6t.37kbi5q for ; Mon, 26 Feb 2001 00:24:42 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <20010226052441.6398.qmail@web5204.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [205.188.200.58] by web5204.mail.yahoo.com; Sun, 25 Feb 2001 21:24:41 PST Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 21:24:41 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 266 To: mpcgram@yahoo.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii ==================================================== MPC Gram ==================================================== Covering the Entire World of Military Numismatics ---------------------------------------------------- Series 002-Number 266 Monday 26 February 2001 A Collector's Experience with MPC by Ray Czahor I have been meaning to write this for several months ever since Fred put me on the MPCGram mailing list and asked for personal stories. I was stationed with the United States Air Force at Clark AB in the Philippines from March 1963 to March 1965. When I first arrived, the only money authorized to be used was Series 591 MPC in denominations 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and $1, $5, and $10. US pennies also circulated. (As an aside, it bothered me and I know I mentioned it to Fred a couple of years ago, his Comprehensive Catalog of MPC never showed that series being used in the Philippines--a major factual error!! In fact at the recent FUN show in January, there was a very nice exhibit of MPC up for competition. While I was examining the exhibit, one of the judges was grading it and I incidentally mentioned the omission on Series 591 so I probably killed that collector from getting any award!!) Back to the Philippines in 1964. In January that year the MPC was recalled without warning. The gates were closed and only US Military and Civilians were allowed to convert MPC they owned to US Dollars. Of course many thousands of dollars of MPC were used off base for transactions in bars, souvenir shops, etc owned by Filipinos because it became a predominant medium of exchange along with the Philippine peso--in fact even more desirable. However, on conversion day, Filipinos were seen outside the fences with boxes of MPC begging airmen to take it and convert it at any rate. I am sure there were some Airmen that did so but there was a severe threat of arrest and court martial if caught. Unfortunately my collector instincts did not tell me to save a set of that series. However, two years ago at the Chicago Paper Money Show and two other subsequent shows, I was inspired and bought most of the series 591, which is a relative scarce series in top grade. I still need the $1 new and I think it is under valued new because I have yet to locate one over the past two years. I also need the $10 in new and passed one up I should have bought I also have a nice AU 5 cent replacement note as a representative piece. I admit my mouth watered at the January FUN show when Fred showed me the Series 591 Specimen set. The end of the Philippine MPC story had a positive result however. US coins and paper money could then be legitimately used. I was able to complete one each of Hawaii overprints and yellow seal North Africa notes just out of circulation. Barber dimes, quarters, and halves showed up in surprising numbers and high grades of EF and AU, even in pocket change. Not surprisingly, the most frequent dates were 1898S, 1899S, and 1900S. One only has to think back to the Spanish American War to understand these were the dates carried over by our troops and left there. US banking institutions were setup in the Philippines and probably were stocked with coinage as well. Before I left, I bought several early bust dollars and half dollars, two of which, the1803 $1 and 1806 half are still in my type collection today. For a US collector in 1964 and even today, old US coinage still can be found. Just last Thursday, I met with a Filipino friend at the Long Beach show who brought with him several nice Barber quarters and halves he had recently purchased. One 1900S quarter was graded by ANACS as anMS61. I won't make it to the MPC Fest since I had to take time off from my real job that puts bread on the table two weeks in a row--Long Beach and Chicago Paper Money shows. My boss doesn't understand where I like to have fun. But I wish all the best and have FUN. My main interest under the name of Cookie Jar Collectibles (Box 597, Columbia, MD 21045), is Philippine Numismatics from Spanish era through US Government of the Islands to the Republic today. That is all aspects of coins, tokens, medals, paper money and historical documents. Contact me if interested. Email is cjc-pi@home.com. ==================================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------------- I figured that the duty assignments and letters might hit a nerve and they did. Where do I start? MPCFest is NOT a military function. There is no military organization involved so it is not a military organization. Neither is it a pseudo military organization. The basic idea of the military theme was the pay day that was conducted at Fest I. It was certainly one of the highlights to that Fest. We certainly plan on having another pay day at Fest 2. It may or may not be popular and may or may not be repeated in the future. After all, basically the Fest belongs to all of us. Possibly it belongs to Festers, but I see it as belonging to the entire community. The duty assignments include few if any positions that might go to one's head. Having said all of this, there would be no particular need to apologize if this were a pseudo military Fest. =================================================== Mail Call --------------------------------------------------- Dear Gram, In the recent MPCGram 265 I was very disappointed to read the letter from the person with 20 years in the Air Force. I too served in the Air Force (for 21 years) and am very proud of that service! I never considered rank as just a difference in pay. I feel the references made in the Gram to rank and military jargon is wonderful and should be praised! I also take offense to the remark that most military affiliated organizations are just bunches of drunks! When you spend 20 or more years in service to your country, you do not just walk away and forget you were a member of the GREATEST military in the world. I hold my head high and am proud to tell anyone I am a USAF Retiree! I do not collect MPC but greatly enjoy getting this wonderful newsletter and praise all the people who work hard to get it out!! I know this is one mans opinion, but I felt it needed saying! David Sklow Oy Vey! Does a military collectors Fest have to be a military happening? Guess the military mentality is ever present. Do I salute when I see all you officers next week in Chicago? Love, Mel Steinberg Dear Mel, Thanks for writing. I could respond to your letter for hours, but will not. I will say that there would be nothing wrong with saluting. It is simply a greeting. The traditional salute among civilians is an oral greeting and handshake, but they are all greetings. I look forward to seeing you in Chicago. Editor Dear Steve If you want more coins with holes in them (mint made..), here in Denmark we have three types. You can either come this way on your tour, or I can ship you a little type collection, at no charge. Your fellow gramster Flemming =================================================== Departments --------------------------------------------------- WWII numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar 2001 --------------------------------------------------- Not only does the scholarship fund have an official identity but also has a bank account! Any further donations should be paid to the order of "Military Numismatists Scholarship" and sent to: Military Numismatists c/o Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, IN 46123 THE UPDATED LIST OF SCHOLARSHIP BENEFACTORS 2/12/01. These folks have generously provided money or material to finance scholarships to the ANA WWII Numismatics seminar. Your contributions will help promote collecting WWII material and be greatly appreciated. Mr. Anonymous Donor Mike Cummings Sue and Keith Bauman Ed B. Doug Bell Tom Denly, Denly's R. A. Medina Harold MPCKid Kroll Leo "Paymaster" May Mrs. R.C. Matherne Bill McNease Marcus Turner Larry Ski Guido Fred PK6 Joel Shafer World Wide Ventures John & Nancy Wilson Neil Shafer W. E. Yanchick ----------------------------------------------------- MPC Fest II ----------------------------------------------------- MPC Fest is the annual feast of MPC. After some difficulties of coordination we have not changed the dates and tentatively scheduled 9-11 March 2001 for MPC Fest II. Confirmed participants in MPC Fest II Doug Bell, Sam Feeback, Al Glaser, Phil Goldstein, Rod Hardy, Wesley Hardy, Gary Hicks, Harold Kroll, Jack Lippincott, Ian Marshall, Larry Smulczenski, Bill McNease, Leo May, Kevin Maloy, Marv Mericle, Bruce Potter, David Seelye, Nick Schrier, Fred Schwan, Dan Swartz, Warner Talso (and Jane), Marcus Turner, Tom Warburton, William E Yanchick, Dick Freyser (We are well past last year's participation level. We have doubled that level. Can we triple it, more? If you have made a reservation and your name does not appear above, please contact the gram immediately (MPCgram@yahoo.com). PayPal and PayDirect are available, the associated email address is fred@papermoneyworld.com. It works great. We love it. A copy of the schedule of events and other particulars is available from MPCGram@yahoo.com. Remarks: registration is $164, after March 1, $189). This includes two nights lodging (double occupancy, room assignments by first sergeant the only possible exception is married couples), Meals as indicated (Friday evening not included), equipment and amenities. The value of souvenirs and goodies distributed will likely exceed the cost of the entire Fest. Reservations accepted now at MPCGram@yahoo.com, deposits ($50 minimum) accepted at MPC Fest, 132 East Second Street, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452. Confirmed reservations will be listed daily in the gram—make your reservations now! Additional information; the Holiday Inn Express is located at 50 NE Catawba Road, Port Clinton, Oh 43452, you may use one of the online map services to get exact driving directions. DO NOT make your own reservations or inquiries. The best airports in order of distance are Toledo (45 mins), Cleveland (90 mins), Detroit (100 mins). We will try to coordinate ground transportation, but there are no guarantees here. Questions: send your questions to MPCgram@yahoo.com. In most cases the questions will be answered in the letters section of the gram. After all, if you have the question, someone else probably does too. ==================================================== Post/Base Exchange (PX/BX/NEX) Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale 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. Send in a list of items for sale and we will list them here in the gram. In all cases confirm your order via email first. FOR SALE Victory Peso - 2 Peso Replacement. Pick 95a in VF serial F00071929*. 100.00. Contact Tom at kochfam@gte.net MPC Series 641 50c CU $21, David Seelye, email for confirmation coinman@rochester.rr.com. US military chits: NCO & EM Open Mess/Cam Ranh Bay 96312 $10 booklet covers with one each 5, 10, 25 (canceled) chits, $35, email for confirmation iam@total.net WANTED 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. This is a trial, if you like it, send your list. Wanted by a collector: a 481 $5.00 in Fine or better. =================================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - fred@papermoneyworld.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com critic: Harold Kroll - MPCKid@papermoneyworld.com; index manager: Ed Beaman webmaster & technical advisor: Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.com; 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!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/