Confusion Reigns
Gram HQ confesses to mask confusion. The combination of sent and partially completed Grams, the introduction of new hard and software and distractions at home have exceeded our ability to cope. We obtained new computer equipment planning on getting everything going on a regular basis during the 2025 holiday season. Obviously this has not happened. The text below was prepared for Pearl Harbor Day. Obviously, this did not make it out. Wait, it is not so obvious that it did not go out. It and some other features here may have been sent previously. We are sorry about that, but we decided that it is better to replicate material than not send it at all.
There is some good news! If you receive this Gram, we should be on track to regularity! Additionally, David Schwan has helped us with a new feature. He is posting published Grams at militarypaymentcertificates.us. In addition to other benefits, this would help with our well-known delivery problems by allowing subscribers to get their Grams there instead of as a mail delivery. I we wish that we could solve the delivery problems, but this should help.
Remember Pearl Harbor 2025
from Bill Myers
I thought that I would just send along a few Pearl Harbor items from my collection.
Lawrence B. Falater Passes
Lawrence B. Falater, age 89, of Hillsdale, passed away Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Hillsdale Hospital. He was born on December 10, 1935, in Detroit to Louis and Mary Louise (O'Connor) Falater. Larry married Delphine Rozmary on June 11, 1960, at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Harper Woods, Michigan, and she preceded him in death on February 1, 2024.
Larry attended Servite High School and graduated from De LaSalle Collegiate High School in Detroit. He received his bachelor's degree in business from the University of Detroit. For over 25 years, Larry worked as a financial analyst for Chrysler Corporation. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hillsdale, and the Knights of Columbus. Larry had a lifelong passion for numismatics, a hobby that began as a young child when his father gave him his first Indian head cent. He was life member #307 of the American Numismatic Association, charter member of the Michigan State Numismatic Society, Paper Money.
Larry was a keen collector of Michigan paper money. He had extensive collections of Michigan national bank notes and Michigan obsolete notes.
Collectors of Michigan, Society of Paper Money Collectors, Civil War Token Society, and former member of the Detroit Coin Club, and the Grosse Pointe Coin Club. Larry was an honorary Fester and supporter of the military community.
Larry was the author of Automotive Stock Certificates. This book set the standard for books on collecting stock certificates. Among other unfinished projects, Larry left a manuscript similar to his automotive book on aviation stocks and bonds.
Survivors include four children, Joe, David (Linda), Denise, and Paul (Michelle); eleven grandchildren, Sarah, Matthew, Andrea, Nathanael, Maggie, Clare, Leah, Veronica, Sophia, Justin, and Elizabeth; ten great-grandchildren, Luke, Henry, Declan, John, Bennett, Mary Anne, Aurora, Margaret, Elisabeth, Catherine, and one great-granddaughter on-the-way.
In addition to his beloved wife, Del Falater, Larry was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Fred (Carlyn) Falater.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Larry Falater will be held Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hillsdale with Fr. David Reamsnyder officiating. Interment will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Arrangements have been made under the guidance of VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale.
Memorial tributes are welcomed for the Hillsdale County Right to Life or St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Editorial
Oops. In addition to other mistakes we failed to index the Gram Series from 26 to 27. The Gram series are counted from November 11 each year. The idea for that--and it was a good one--way from the late great collector Brad Peacock.
Larry Falater was a wonderful collector and great friend. Over several (many?!) decades Larry and I drove to major shows around the country and a few in Europe. One high light was attending the IBNS paper money show in England. We planned a week of touring after the show. We wanted to visit the Channel Islands, but the ferry was canceled because of bad weather and the weather was indeed BAD.
Instead, we then took a ferry to France, rented a car, and toured many World War II sites in Normandy. Those are memories that I will take with me.
An irony connects the loss of Steve and Larry. The last time that I spoke with Steve, we discussed a plan that he and I had to visit the Channel Islands in 2026. Steve had been there, but I had missed my chance as you know. Now I have a fantasy of visiting the islands in tribute to Steve and Larry.
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.
Dear Editor,
I am devastated to say that Steve Feller died peacefully this evening in Denver. He was surrounded by Heidi, Ray, and Barbara at the time of death.
We are overwhelmed by this loss. He epitomized kindness, hunger, curiosity, intelligence, and stubbornness.
One silver lining…this afternoon, the cardiothoracic surgeon who performed his open heart surgery last week stopped by his room at the hospital. She wanted us to know that his case and livelihood has inspired her to pursue research on developing anti microbial artificial heart valves. Hopefully this is one way in which his legacy can help others.
Bill Myers
Dear Editor:
I was saddened to learn of the death of Steven Feller, as published in the latest issue of the MPCgram. Steven and I collaborated on an article together that made the front cover of the August, 1984 issue of The Numismatist (ANA), about Displaced Persons Camp Money following World War II. We were able to pull together important information from various sources and collections to provide the reader with a good introduction to this "new" topic. In our correspondence together I could tell of Steve's enthusiasm about the subject and of his love for military-related numismatic items. I enjoyed reading about his further research and articles through the years. He has left the collecting community with a wealth of information by which he will be remembered. My condolences to his family and our collecting community during this time of loss.
Sincerely, Frank Passic Albion, Michigan
Dear Editor,
We are happy to acknowledge a generation donation to the Military Numismatics Scholarship Fund by long time enthusiast Frank Clark. Remember, the 2026 ANA Summer Seminar includes the full slate of military classes. If you have never attended one of these classes (or even if you have), this would be a good year to attend.
If you cannot attend, you can participate by supporting the scholarship fund. You can make donations to this fund by making cash donations or by donating appropriate material to the scholarship fund auction which is held each year at the MPCFest.
Kathy Freeland ksfdaf@sbcglobal.net
Dear Gram,
We are looking forward to Fest 2026. We have a suggestion. The Fest is wonderful. It is jam packed with fun and educational activities! Frankly, it is too busy! There is not enough time to chat with old friends and get to know new ones.
The Toleks
Dear Festers,
Wow. Thank you very much for the comment. I think that it is particularly important because it is contrary to founding ideas that we have had since Fest I. We hope that others will share their ideas along this line.
Training Schedule (calendar)
2026
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 National Money Show® 26-28 Feb, Savannah, GA MSNS – 17-19 Apr, Oakland Expo Center, Waterford MI Georgia Numismatic Assn Show 17-19 Apr, Dalton – Festers attending MPCFest 2026 10-12 April Central States - 22-25 April [you are showing this extending across 8 days a week later] Netherlands world paper money show 1-3 May ANA Summer Seminar (Boling counterfeit paper course): 20-25 Jun ANA Summer Seminar (WWII course): 27 Jun-2 July ANA World's Fair of Money® - 25-29 Aug, Pittsburgh
Please help us fill in the dates for events listed and give us any additional events that might conflict. Thank you very much.
MPCFest sponsors
Joe and Louise Boling, Mike Buckley, Steve Fahrlander, Steve and Ray Feller, Dave Frank, Loretta Freyser, Al Glaser, Jennifer and Eric Kibbey (dba Camelot Coins), Harold Kroll, Bill Myers and Warner Talso.
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
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.
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)