From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 876 Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 2:21 PM =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 876 Tuesday March 18, 2003 More adventures in numismatics (continued from gram 869) More adventures in numismatics (continued from gram 869) By Joe Boling Shortly after my second such trip to Germany, I moved to Seattle to start my MBA at the University of Washington. DA had delayed my educational assignment until after that second REFORGER exercise, not allowing me to go to UW at the start of the fall quarter. The UW business school was not happy about having me come in out of cycle, but I explained that it was that way or not at all. They reluctantly agreed, and I ended up taking the first year's economics, accounting, and linear programming courses out of order. It didn't seem to hurt my progress to the MBA; I had all but one course finished in five quarters, and loafed in electives for the sixth quarter leading to graduation in June 1973. In those days there was a monthly coin show at the Seattle Center. Both Milt Blackburn and Bill Henderson were setting up there selling coins; neither was a paper money dealer yet, though Bill had started to handle some paper with his coins. Milt was specializing in Arabic countries; since that was one of my special interest areas (having lived in Morocco for two years), he and I did a lot of business. Those were the very earliest days of the Krause world coin catalog, and I was continually sending in updates on new dates observed in emissions for Arab countries. In one of my earlier columns about my position 8 collection, I said that I could not recall which of the $5 keys I was still lacking when I sold my first MPC collection to Fred in 1974. I remember now that it must have been the 471 $5, because at one of those Seattle Center shows, a rival collector was making the rounds ahead of me and he found one (I don't remember who was selling it). Having missed that one, I never found another before selling out. I remember going into a coin shop in downtown Seattle and finding a box of unsorted, unpriced paper money. The dealer was reluctant to sell any of it, not knowing how to price it. I went through and selected a large stack of notes, then laid them out on his counter in piles according to what I would pay for them (from about a quarter to $6 or $8 per note). Seeing my obvious knowledge about relative values of the pieces, he accepted my offer and I went home happy. I don't remember anything that was in the pile except a Moroccan 5000 franc note (no, not the ABNC wartime piece - a 1950s- era piece from when I was living there). On another occasion, I went into a pawn shop in Tacoma and found some Japanese pre-Meiji coins I needed (needed, not wanted--you true collectors know what I mean). But one of them was counterfeit. It was a fairly good piece if genuine (worth $30-35 at the time), but I offered him $7.50 as a fake. Again, he was reluctant, but in the face of my knowledge about the other pieces he had, he agreed to accept my judgment. When I got home and started accessioning the day's purchases, I noticed that the gold fineness of that issue was only .123; a circulated piece could easily have the surface gold leached away, leaving the silver-colored alloy as the predominant feature. (The metallurgy of pre-Meiji gold/silver alloys is complicated; email me if you want to know more about how they made the coins look gold when they were mostly silver. They weren't plated.) I decided that I had bought a genuine coin after all, so I went back a few days later to give him $25 more for the lot. When he recovered from his shock, I had a dealer who would always put items back for me until I could check them. I am off to the Charlotte ANA convention in a few hours. I hope to have some adventures to report either while there or next week in this space. =========================================== Editorial =========================================== The person who filed the ?complaint? about the auction. Yes, you are sometimes in jeopardy of having your letter published even when you do not intend for it to be published. I do not think that I have ever published a letter when it us specifically requested not to be, but all others are subject to publication. I am sure that it is obvious that we select letters for publication because we feel that they will provide something positive to the Gram. This might just be an opposing or humorous view of something. In this case, I felt that the first letter did several important things. First, it allowed for explanations etc. of something that had bothered a Gramster. It is far better to air something like that than to error by not publishing it. I like to believe that I am sensitive enough to recognize when identification of the writer is unnecessary and potentially undesirable, but if you think that there might be any doubt and wish to remain anonymous, please be sure to make this clear. Finally, your letters are subject to editing. This might be for clarity, length, or possibly even whim. Indeed the letter about the auction below had one point removed that did not seem to contribute to the point at this time. I might also point out that in this particular case, I would have been less likely to remove the point if the identity had been divulged. I look forward to your comments on these editorial policies (remember, I am an easy target!) Aside to Joe Boling, have fun at the ANA, we hope for some news reports from the show. Fred =========================================== MAIL CALL =========================================== Dear Editor, Please help with a challenge coin question. Marcus's article about a stranger making a challenge to Wendell prompted this request. I was recently challenged and lost the challenge as my challenger had never heard of any 'Two Step' rule. I recall there was a two step rule that afforded the challenged to take up to two steps to retrieve his challenge coin. Is this a valid rule or is it something made up? I'm sure I heard this at a prior Fest. Looking for clarification. Thanks Dick Freyser Editor, In reference to Harold's fine article on auctions let me concur with his well deserved congratulations to both Larry and Phil for the efforts they put in this years auction as well as in past years. While giving congratulations, lets not forget Harold for all his great efforts as well. If not for him we most likely would not have all the Souvenir Cards. I still do not wish to be identified by those that do not know that I am the one who wrote of my 'serious complaint' about the auction so editor please do not identify this writer if it's published. First let me say, I wrote this and mailed it on the complaint 'Disposition Form' supplied in our Fest packet (Festers know which form I'm speaking of, the one where the second half of the form already has an answer to your complaint. I don't have one in front of me but it's something along the line 'Complaint Denied'). I did not intend for this to be published. I was just voicing my minor (minor now, but a little more than that at the time) displeasure of one lot being lost by me. Fred was kind enough to give me a heads up that he planned on publishing it in a Gram and gave me an opportunity to comment further. I did not object to it's publishing but why my additional comments never were published only the editor knows (DIDN'T I READ SOMETHING IN GRAM 874 ABOUT A NUMBER OF COMMENTS BEING SENT TO THE GRAM NEVER BEING PUBLISHED? I'M SURE THERE ARE SEVERAL OF US THAT CAN SAY THE SAME. BUT ISN'T THAT THE EDITORS JOB?) The main thing I wanted to express was that this was nothing more than a hiccup. I mentioned to Fred that I wish I had not written the complaint. One reason, I did not want it to cast any doubt on the absolutely fantastic time I had at the Fest. Although it was serious in a sense, I was unhappy about the way I lost an auction lot. It was written on the humorous complaint form to try to keep it in that vane. It did serve a good purpose in that I now understand why there were a few auction lots returned. I didn't understand what was happening and in my letter that was not intended as a complaint but more of an observance. Now that I fully understand it, I kinda like the idea. I totally agree with Harold's article and I'm pleased that he seems to agree with my point: If for some reason the auctioneer misses a bid and calls the item sold in the case of a late or slow bid when a bidder decides to raise his/her bid card or hand when the auctioneer is saying sold, the usual sold call stands and the bidder is reminded to get the hand or bid card in the air so it can be seen. Finally, make no mistake, I fully intend to continue to participate in all Fest auctions without any hesitation. The auctions are without a doubt one of the many great events held at MPC Fest. Thanks for allowing me to say a little more about this. Name Withheld. Dear Judy, Thank you for writing again. Editor =========================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS =========================================== March 21, deadline for application for ANA Summer Seminar military money scholarship, see: http://www.papermoneyworld.net/news/Military%20Numismatists%20Scholarship%20Fund%202003.pdf 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 May 30 ? June 1 POW Conference II, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA Registration fees: $150 for general registration; $200 after 1 May 2003. (A day fee of $50 per full day, $25 per half day will be accepted at the time of registration as space allows for walk-in registrants to join pre-regs.) $100 for presenters, uni/college students, senior citizens, veterans of any age, overseas participants. (Registrations must be received by 1 May to qualify.)(Presenters coming for one day may attend half of that day free; if they'd like to attend the entire day they will be asked for a $25 contribution to help defray conference costs. [Basically, all presenters and panelists are being given $50 credit.]) $50 for TRACES donors/non-working TRACES board members. $50 for Journalists may attend the exhibit opening, 1-5 Saturday afternoon at the Johnson County History Center in Iowa City/Iowa, for free; those wishing to attend the rest of the conference in order to write articles/tape reports may do so at $25 per day. The exhibit itself is free and open to the public. We are very pleased to have, per plan, some half dozen German POWs or their families with us for the exhibit and conference; as much as we would like to waive the conference registration fee, we must ask that they make a one-time $50 contribution to help defray the unavoidable costs of making this conference a reality. Berlin Study Tour participants may attend for free. Please (!) pass this invitation to anyone you think might be interested in either presenting or attending. For more information about TRACES visit www.TRACES.org. 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. 2004 MPCFest V, reservations now being accepted. Reservations entered in order received: (Feb-Mar 2004): Roger Urce#, John Cheney#, David Seelye, Phil Goldstein, Harold Kroll, Gail Baker#, Leo May$$$, Kevin Neidy, Cuneyd Tolek, Warner Talso, Cameron Bueschel, Wendell Wolka, Fred Schwan. # new Fester, $ paid. $$ paid single occupancy. Running totals: total 12, new festers 3. 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 ======================================== 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 =========================================== 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! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop! http://platinum.yahoo.com