MPC Fest Field Trip
On Sunday 14 April 2024 the MPC Fest Field Trip was at the Liberty Aviation Museum attended by 15 festers. It was the location of a MPC Fest field trip before COVID. The museum is dynamic and there were plenty of new things to see.
One of the big attractions was viewing the short snorter of Clark Gable. He volunteered for the Army Air Force at 40 years old and flew with the 351st Bomb Group. His military papers were also available for viewing including a certificate for his efforts for the War Savings Program.
Other interesting items were a case with items from the TV show Hogan's Heroes, boxer shorts given to Marilyn Monroe on a tour and other military vehicles, tanks and aircraft being rebuilt. Significant progress has been made on the reconstruction of a Ford trimotor plane since it was last seen by festers (except Fred & Judy who can visit any time). There was a case of WWII military notes with a lot of Philippine JIM and a ration book and some OPA tokens. A large case of German headgear, insignia and daggers from WWII.
This is only part of what was there, and it was well worth the visit. Souvenir tickets was issued to all attendees.
New MFC Issued
Military Fest Certificate Series 241 was issued on Friday evening 12 April at MPCFest 25. The colorful notes feature portraits of famous astronomers. The notes were designed by famous Fest note designer Dave Schwan.
Fest paymaster Harold Kroll presided over the unveiling and issuing of the notes which were well received by all Festers in attendance.
Editorial
Welcome to MPCGram 2610. Last week was Gram 2609. The problem is that we did not have a Gram 2608. In part the problem was created by the delay in publishing a Gram after 2607. I wish that I had a better excuse. The next problem of course is what to do about it? First, as usual in such cases, we will extend all subscriptions, not by one or even ten issues, but by a full year of Grams. Yes, that is like fiftyish free Grams!
We made another mistake in 2609. We listed the staff briefings that were presented at the Fest. Somehow, we failed to list Joe Boling's program. I do not know how it happened, but it was my mistake. Below is the description of Joe's briefing as it appeared in the Fest program.
Changes in the Notes from Afrique Francaise Libre (Free French Africa) During WWII two composite French colonial entities in west and central Africa (French West Africa and French Equatorial Africa) were partially occupied by Free French troops. They called the areas under their control Afrique Francaise Libre (Free French Africa). Currency was printed for them in the UK and apparently also locally. This briefing will show the kinds of changes that appeared in the notes in use.
D-Day is next week. As usual we will have a Gram special issue. If you have anything that you would like to have included in this special edition, please send it in the next few days.
Mail Call
The MPCGram welcomes letters from readers. Letters should be relevant to military numismatics. Letters may be edited. Senders must be known to the Gram and names (actual or "Internet") will be used in the Gram. VERY IMPORTANT: Do not use reply to send letters to the Gram. Send your letters, inquiries and the like to the editor at fredschwan@yahoo.com.
Dear Editor,
Last night at the London IBNS zoom meeting in the show and tell, the attached was shown from WWII.
The owner, Dr. Gary Oddie is trying to find any pictures of the camp or where it was actually based and I wondered if we could ask in the Gram?
It certainly is an interesting piece. Gary collects anything that is a 1s piece -- he has spoken at club meetings and is a very jolly fellow.
Regards
— Pam
Dear Pam,
Yes, it certainly is an interesting piece. Finding an image of the camp would be wonderful, but probably hard to do.
— Editor
Training Schedule (calendar)
In this section, the MPGram lists events that are likely to be of special interest to collectors who are interested in MPC and other type of military numismatic items. We do not list "routine" coin shows where a collector might find a few items by chance. However, if we know that some Festers or Gramsters will be there we will list that same show in the hope of promoting fellowship. Send us your reports.
ANA Summer Seminar June 22-24
We are pleased to advise we will be offering the below class for Session 2 of Summer Seminar (June 22-June 27, 2024). We will open registration in January and I will start sending out weekly updates mid March. Please do not make any travel plans at this time. We will want to make sure we have enough registration to have the class. The final decision will be made around May 1, 2024 or sooner if your class fills sooner. Please review the below description and instructor credentials that will be printed in the catalog and let me know of any changes no later than November 9, 2023. If it is shorter or a bit different from what you sent in, it is because we had to keep descriptions uniform with similar classes and we had to limit character limits for some descriptions. Please let me know if you have any questions.
30-World War II Numismatics
Allied military franc notes were secretly printed in the United States for the D-Day invasion of France, shipped to England and paid to the troops mere hours before the assault. To hold one of them is to touch another time -- history in your hands! Vast numbers of military and emergency issues were produced during World War II, and the study thereof fascinating. The issues are remarkably diverse in purpose, use, design and production. Most of the issues were paper, but coins were also created. Due to the vast variety of the material, this class utilizes a case-study approach, using certain issues to represent the greater universe of issues. United States military payment certificates, Allied military currency and Japanese invasion money are covered in-depth.
Instructors: Fred Schwan and Joseph E. Boling, authors of World War II Remembered: History in Your Hands, A Numismatic Study
contact Jennifer Ackerman ANA Events Director Ph. 719-482-9839
ANA World's Fair of Money® - 6-10 Aug, Rosemont
2025
25 March -- MOH Day
ANA World's Fair of Money® - 19-23 Aug, Oklahoma City
Please help us fill in the dates for events listed and give us any additional events that might conflict. Thank you very much.
Resources
MPCFest Sponsors
Doug Bell, Joe and Louise Boling, Larry Falater, Steve and Ray Feller, Dave Frank, Al Glaser, Brett Irick, Harold Kroll, Mike Marcil, Bill Myer, Holiday Inn Express
MPCFest is possible because of the generous support of its sponsors.
Gram Exchange
Do you have something for sale (or trade)? Are you looking for something for your collection? You can offer items here in the Gram or list specific items that you need.
FOR SALE
Send your text and images (!) to the editor for inclusion in the Gram Exchange. Please send the images in jpeg format with each image in a separate file.
List your items for sale here for FREE
New, fifth edition of the standard MPC reference book the Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates by Schwan and Smulczenski. Now full color and packed with great information. $75 postpaid. No waiting--the fastest service possible. Send your snail mail address via email and we will send your book with an invoice. The digital version of Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates after some delay is now shipping at $40. Send to fredschwan@yahoo.com.
I found a copy of World War II Remembered still in the original shrink wrap. Available $150. It will be available for pick up at the Fest or I can mail it if you insist for $8. Fredschwan@yahoo.com
WANTED
Wanted to Buy [WTB] / In Search of [ISO] $10 Series 1934A North Africa silver certificate with the altered blue seal discussed in October 2022 MPCGram by Larry Smulczenski (Saturski #13) and covered in May/June 2008 SPMC article written by Peter Huntoon and Jim Downey. Please contact Andy Conroy (andyqconroy@gmail.com)
I want to buy Canadian Forces gasoline coupons used in Germany ca 1946-1990. Fredschwan@yahoo.com
MPC Gram Staff & Info
Publisher and editor: Fred Schwan fredschwan@yahoo.com
Editor emeritus and columnist: Roger Urce stjasele@gmail.com
MPC Gram info: fredschwan@yahoo.com
Financing the war columnist: Warner Talso - wwtalso@gmail.com
Columnist at large: Bill Myers
Columnist at large: Jim Downey - mufelika@charter.net
Columnist: Fabrizio Raponi runfab@gmail.com
Columnist: Louise Boling copperboling@gmail.com
Fest auctioneer: Dave Frank - dave@frankcomputers.com
Fest yearbook editor and photographers: Kris and Cuneyd Tolek - ctolek@yahoo.com
MPC Gram is published by BNR Press 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 publisher. In the case of contributors, the copyright is protected on behalf of the creators. Please send all correspondence regarding the gram to Fredschwan@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for your participation.