From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 962 Date: Friday, July 11, 2003 8:29 AM =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 962 Thursday July 10, 2003 Summer Seminar (Fest) Ron Waddell Just arrived home from the ANA Summer Seminar and thought I would write while every thing is fresh in my mind. All reports start out praising the experience, which I think clouds their judgment, so I want to "tell it like it is." I hope you will print this report so they can form their own opinion. I will hold mine until the end. The trip to Colorado Springs was uneventful (the best kind) and the ANA was right there to get us to the college. Check-in was easy and did not take long to get situated. The buffet provided by the ANA was the first indication that problems of gluttony would be a major concern. I had planned on using the first day to visit the ANA Headquarters and Museum. But here was my first problem - for some reason I had to keep going back to the museum and library. Must be they put too much stuff there for some of us to absorb in one visit. Sunday morning was the Annual Book Sale, which everyone says is so great. Well it is a mad house. Have to have a number (I saw one fellow waiting an hour before opening to get a number) and then everyone circles the tables and start digging. I assume they had the books stacked at first but I was No. 23 and thought I was probably in the Port Clinton "black hole." It is amazing what they will do to get your money, and they got some of mine. On Sunday and again on Monday (when they cut prices by 75%). I had planned on putting the books in my suitcase to bring home but after two days of the Book Sale, plus another purchase from the ANA’s regular stock (at a 40 % discount), I had to let the ANA post office box them up and mail home. The first session of "Military Numismatics" was Sunday afternoon and pay was the main concern. I would not say much about payday since it gets covered very well by others and seems to be blown out of proportion (were we like that in the service?). Just a couple of incidents for the inexperienced; when we received our travel pay, I thought I had a major error when the two 10 dinar notes that I was looking at were different - one had the word "ten" spelled out, the other did not. Fred had just covered the problem of the AM Lire in class and his comment "better look closely" caused me to discover that I had to think a little about what we were studying and what he was trying to teach us. This was Series 1944A, not Series 1944. There is an element at these events that is designed to fill in the spare time with a game called "poker." They did not tell me until afterwards that it was for "keeps." As usual, the oldtimers took the "young" recruits money (same as at Fest IV). However, I was able to recoup some of my loses from the big winner (Harold). I had traded him a #2 serial number that day (one for one) but had another, which was a star #2, which I held out for much more money. He agreed to the trade, but not before I had to withstand some serious verbal abuse (and this was "my money" he was using to pay me). Like many inexperienced recruits, I played again in the Thursday night game. Since I did not have much of the current dinar notes left (only my travel pay which I had not scrutinized yet), I got out my Series 031 extras to play with. On my first bet, I found out that this money was not current in this theatre so had to go back to my room and get the travel pay. Actually Harold was very generous on the trade and it is a good thing since I owed Fred 5 dinar from the last pot, one of many that I had second best hand. As Fred was trying to make change for the 30 dinar I gave him, I noticed a very rare note in the notes he had in his hand but could not tell which he gave me. I could not wait to get away to see if he "screwed up" and put it in my change. HE DID. I don’t want to imply that these guys have any compassion for losers in the poker game (but maybe they do). The classes and instruction were great but I have to say there was a lot they did not cover. I think this is just an excuse to have a second class (can you imagine not being able to cover two small books like WWII Remembered and Military Payment Certificates in a few days). We covered the major currencies in detail and had many specimens to look at. However, they were just like the ones I had at home. Only difference was that these had different prefix and suffix letters (or lack thereof) and in many instances the denominations were higher than mine. He even put a set of notes out that were not completely printed. Said they were proofs of Series 661. Several guys noticed that the $10 note was very interesting, at the stage before they put the clothes on the lady. One instructor had the audacity to sell his better notes and not have them available for our perusal. All he had was stack after stack of “lesser" value notes for us to examine. LESSER??? Hell, there were notes I had never even heard of, much less seen. And then he got out his collection of Japanese bonds - I thought I was in the Japan Finance Ministry’s archives. The YN auction was interesting and several Festers certainly supported the cause and I am sure you will hear much more from others. However, I was setting between Sparky (Mark) and Wendell. Mark kept buying lots and giving them to YN’s and then Wendell (who constantly mentioned in class that he is not interested in MPC) started bidding on the MFC in the auction. It did not take long to realize that something was fishy but that is a story for someone else to tell. I did attend one of the mini-seminars but missed out on one because it filled up before I was sure I was going and could get signed up. Consider there were about 250 attendees for the first week. Accommodations were in the college dormitories. No air conditioning. When I was in the service, I can not remember going anywhere without my air conditioned tent. However, mother nature was nice to us and I only had to move closer to the fan on the last night. But the dry air did make life uncomfortable due to sinus problems. I did not have the sense to ask on Sunday if there was not something to relieve the discomfort. There is a saline solution nose spray that I found out about on Thursday - the next to last day. Also, the college has an exercise room but did not open it until 10 AM, to late to be of any benefit to us early risers. I was concerned about how I could get to the Coin Show on Friday and then to the airport since the last shuttle to the airport was leaving at 10AM. I tried to get Gail to schedule some later trips but it was the 4th and drivers were not available. She said I could talk to the 10AM shuttle driver and ask to be picked up at the show but I did not find out until early Friday morning that it was Brian Fenton and I could not find him. I had decided to just wait at the dorm and take the bus to the airport, and was on the bus, when Gail said Brian was there and would take me to the show and then to the airport. It worked out great. By the way, Brian has a great "short snorter," which he shared with the class. After all that, what is my opinion of the summer seminar – IT IS FANTASTIC. You have heard the old saying about "buy the book, then the note". I would modify that to "buy the book, attend a seminar with good instructors, and then buy the note". It is not like living in luxury but I know of no other place to get the information that was presented at this seminar (and in a very interesting way), nor see the specimens that were available at this seminar. Nothing will take the place of the annual Fests, but this is a Fest with much more detail. And the above is only part of the many happy events. I will mention one other, something that was obvious (only because it was not obvious), and it gives a sense of the magnitude of the specimens available to see and handle. Security. The only security I saw was a couple of guys riding around in golf carts. Fred and Joe had many, many thousands (hundreds of thousands) of dollars of material in our class room. The SS Central America class had millions of dollars of gold, at least a half million at a noon time session where we could pick up the gold ingots. I did not see anyone that looked like a cop, but I was assured the security was there, it just was not seen. One of the first things I told my wife that I was going to do when I retired, seven years ago, was to "attend the ANA Summer Seminar". Now I’ve finally done it, and could not ask for a better class to take. It would not be the last. I want to thank everyone that has supported the Scholarship Fund - you can’t realize what value you have created, unless you experience it. See you at Fest V. AFC Exchange Rates By David Seelye I have transcribed the official conversion rate of US$ to dinar at the 2003 ANA seminar ANA SEMINAR 2003 US Dollar to dinar Official Conversion Rate Sunday 1400Hrs $1.00 D1.00 Monday 0900Hrs $1.00 D1.20 1300Hrs $1.00 D1.25 1400Hrs $1.00 D1.33 1700Hrs $1.00 D1.50 Tuesday 1030Hrs $1.00 D1.75 Wednesday 1000Hrs $1.00 D2.00 Thursday 0900Hrs $1.00 D2.10 0930Hrs $1.00 D2.20 1000Hrs $1.00 D2.50 1100Hrs $1.00 D2.9975 =========================================== Editorial/opinion =========================================== Sometimes there are pleasant surprises. I went to work on today’s Gram after missing yesterday and I found that I had a gram complete for yesterday except for this (weak) editorial! I had forgotten that I had worked on a Gram for yesterday! (That is no surprise to many/most of you). I have a Friday column from Warner waiting here, but I will put that off till Saturday along with a report from Joe on the Seminar YN auction. I have lots more to talk about, but just cannot remember what so I will try again tomorrow. =========================================== MAIL CALL =========================================== Dear Editor: For expert guidance in moving between secret locations, I suggest you contact Mr. O. Bin Ladin care of the Al Jazeeri Television Network. In fact, you may be able to collaborate on activities of mutual interest. W Dear Gram, Apparently the night you lost the boilerplate, you also misremembered the last previous gram number, as we skipped from 954 to 958 (this was pointed out to me by a student in one of the seminars today). Joe Dear Joe, Busted, darn. Editor =========================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS =========================================== http://calendar.yahoo.com/mpcgram American Numismatic Association Convention. Philippine Collectors Forum that Ray Czahor is putting together on Friday Aug.1 at 1 P.M. in Room 317 of the convention center in Baltimore at the ANA convention. Lyn Knight Auction [including major, old-time military money collection] August 20-24 Sheraton Grand Hotel 4440 West John Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas 75063 (972) 929-8400. Mini Fest anticipated, take your pay books! PCDA National and World Paper Money Convention. November 19-23, 2003. St. Louis Hilton Airport Hotel, 10330 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63134. Lyn Knight auction, consignment deadline September 30, 2003 2004 CPMX February 26-28, Lyn Knight auction. Consignment deadline January 10, 2004. April 23-25, MPCFest V, reservations now being accepted. Reservations entered in order received: Roger Urce#$$, John Cheney#$, David Seelye, Harold Kroll, Gail Baker#, Leo May$$$, Kevin Neidy, Cuneyd Tolek, Warner Talso, Cameron Bueschel, Wendell Wolka, John V. Craig#, John Cheney#, Steve Swoish, Joe Bissell#, Sparky Watson, Nick Schrier, Fred Schwan. # new Fester, $ paid. $$ paid single occupancy. Running totals: total 17, new festers 6. Standard rate $148, single occupancy $198, payments may be made by mailing paper instruments of any kind to BNR Press (or MPCFest or even Fred Schwan) at 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Payments may also be sent via PayPal (fredschawan@yahoo.com). Once you have sent your payment, monitor the above list to ensure that it has been received and posted). Masstricht April 23-25, Valkenburg, The Netherlands, contact Jos Eijsermans, Box 3240, NL 5930 Tegelen Netherlands 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, Exhibits contact joeboling@aol.com ======================================== 2004 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. Al Glaser RA Medina Warner Talso David Seelye Russ Walsh Joe Boling Harold Kroll Pam West 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 • Tom Warburton • Larry Lee • Fred Schwan • mark Watson • Harold Kroll • Ian Marshall • Marcus Turner • Neil Shafer • Keith & Sue Bauman 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 Additional 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, Bruce Peacock, David Seelye, 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 referred 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 trouble logging 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 Denlys of Boston (617) 482-8477 denlys@aol.com Doric Coins & Currency (508) 699-2266 (508) 643-1154 FUN (407) 321-8747 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) 720-0659 LeoMayEnt@aol.com 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) 897-1654 (voice and fax) 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 01; $4.00 Serial number 201; $5.00 Serial number 201; $10.00 Serial number 101; $20.00 serial number 101. Will buy, trade MPC, MFC, FRN notes. Put your for sale notice in the Gram. =========================================== MPC Gram Staff: Publisher, editor: Fred Schwan - MPCGram@yahoo.com Subscription Manager:Doug Bell- doug@papermoneyworld.net Tuesday Columnist : JoeBoling - JoeBoling@aol.com Thurski Columnist: Larry "Ski" Smulczenski - skifla@prodigy.net Critic:Harold Kroll - HARBONS@aol.com Scholarship Coordinator: Marcus Turner - maturner@indy.rr.com 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!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com