Status: U Return-Path: Received: from web5203.mail.yahoo.com ([216.115.106.97]) by niles.mail.mindspring.net (Earthlink Mail Service) with SMTP id tjo7h4.4db.37kbi1o for ; Fri, 29 Jun 2001 02:20:20 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <20010629062018.26703.qmail@web5203.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [205.188.192.56] by web5203.mail.yahoo.com; Thu, 28 Jun 2001 23:20:18 PDT Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 23:20:18 -0700 (PDT) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 379 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 379 Friday, June 29, 2001 MPC Proof/Test Note Rebutal by Marcus Turner For those of you who are not familiar with the Series 692 "Test"/"Proof" note I have posted scans at: http://www.papermoneyworld.com/mat/692front.jpg http://www.papermoneyworld.com/mat/692back.jpg My first observation in attempting to research the use of such terminology is lack of published definitions of terms such as "proof," "specimen," "Essay" and "Test Note" published in any numismatic literature. I search all of my books and found absolutely nothing offering any sort of definition. I clearly agree with the definitions that Fred presented in Gram 375. I further agree that the term "Test Note" is not a "widely accepted numismatic or even printing term." I am however suggesting that it should be a valid term that should be accepted by the numismatic community. I want to turn your attention to the intended purpose of printing notes. Clearly the primary purpose of printing such items is for circulation or redemption. There is also the realm of "proof" notes that Fred described. This includes notes that are samples for checking, education, or other administrative purposes, design, approval, etc. Other notes are printed as propaganda, souvenirs or even just for fun. Specifically the 692 "test notes" were never intended for general circulation. My assertion is that the 692 notes in questions were mass-produced for the sole purpose of conducting a test. I will be the first to admit that the facts surrounding the test are largely unknown. The source of the notes explained that they were kept in the vault along side of the Series 691 and 701 while in storage. Around the mid 1980's they were removed and examined for the purpose of determining the effects of prolonged storage. He reported observing several stacks (in the thousands) of these notes being examined. While this gentleman is not an expert in testing notes, he did spend his military career handling MPC, and his civilian career on the administration side of the finance operation. I am not claiming that he is the authority on testing MPC, but is probably one of the most educated individuals we could have hoped to find that has at least some knowledge of these pieces. My theory (based on complete speculation) is that these notes were printed by the BEP at the same time as Series 692. They were printed on the same planchette paper as the first printing of Series 691 and 701 as well as 692. They also contain the same style of ultraviolet security found on the previously mentioned printings. I can only speculate that finance officials expected that Series 691 would be placed into use while Series 692 and 701 would be retained in storage for some time, making the 692 $1 a good note to compare in the test. Were they ever wrong! The other interesting aspect of the note is that the note is printed in blue on the face and brown on the back. Neither of these colors were used in the actual 692 $1. It is unclear why unlike colors would be used for the test. There is no question that there are many un-resolved issues with these pieces. From the same person I was also able to obtain the following note. If you were at MPC Fest II you were able to view this note in person: http://www.papermoneyworld.com/mat/atmfront.jpg http://www.papermoneyworld.com/mat/atmback.jpg This note I would also classify as a "test note." It was reported as having been produced for the sole purpose of testing ATM style machines that were under consideration for use by the military. The note is in "circulated" condition possibly indication that it was subject to passing through the machines. Clearly this note is not intended for general circulation, is not a proof, propaganda or for any other purpose, other than testing. It should therefore be called a "test note" just as the 692 $1 note in question. I must also disagree with Fred's claim that the "original" two 691 $1 notes are "test notes". They were mass-produced for the purpose of circulation. The serial numbers did fall in a range of notes that were removed from the supply in storage and sent to the BEP for serviceability testing. They were not however produced for the sole purpose of testing. They are simply regular issue notes that were part of a small sample that was intended to be tested. I am very interested in hearing feedback on this issue. I am particularly interested in hearing what authors/editors of numismatic books or articles have to say on definitions of the various terms. =============================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------------- As you can imagine, I have a ton of things to say about Marcus’ article above, but I will limit it to one item at the moment—good job Marcus. I hope that many of you will come in with your thoughts on this. I am in the crisis mode getting ready for the seminar. Mostly I am excited, but also overloaded with work to get ready. It should be great and we will try to give everyone lots of reports from Colorado Springs. =========================================== Mail Call ----------------------------------------------- Dear Editor, You might write up a good account of Richard Lobel of Coincraft who was the London based dealer that purchased the British Ministry deal in 1991. Colin Hello Colin, Well, you have the basis of a good idea, but I am not the best one to tell the story. Hopefully, someone will come forward and tell it in detail! Editor ================================================ 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 3/22/01. 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. Many donations were received at CPMX and MPCFest. David Amey, Mr. Anonymous Donor, Mike Cummings, Sueand Keith Bauman, Ed B., Doug Bell, Tom Denly, Continental Coin Invensor, Inc., Denly's, Howard Daniel, R. A. Medina, Harold “MPCKid” Kroll, Leo "Paymaster" May, Mrs. R.C. Matherne, Bill McNease, Marv Mericle, Mel and Jeremy Steinberg, Marcus Turner, Larry Ski, Guido, Fred, PK6, Joel Shafer, World WideVentures, Pam West, John and Nancy Wilson, Neil Shafer, W. E. Yanchick, Mark Watson, Al Glaser, Phil Goldstein, Rod Hardy, Wesley Hardy, Gary Hicks, Jack Lippincott, Ian Marshall, Kevin Maloy, David Seelye, Nick Schrier, Elmer Smith, Dan Swartz, Tom Warburton, Dick Freyser, Tim Kyzivat ==================================================== 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 Your items for sale will be listed in the Gram for FREE. Send your listings now. You items for sale support the gram by making it more interesting for everyone! For Sale: series 661 50 cents 5 notes in serial number order CH. UNC $90.00 postpaid insured. Series 681 50 cents 5 notes in serial number order CH.UNC $97.50 postpaid insured. coinman@rochester.rr.com World War II Remembered, $69 postpaid, Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates $39 postpaid. Paypal and paper payments accepted. Contact BNRPress@papermoneyworld.com. 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 or sale in the above section. This is a trial, if you like it, send your list. =================================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - fred@papermoneyworld.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com Tuesday columnist Joe Boling – JoeBoling@aol.com Thurski columnist Larry “Ski” Smulczenski – ski@papermoneyworld.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 personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/