Call to Convention
Ray Feller
Hello everyone! It is time to ready your staff briefings for this year's Fest! It will be very hard to have a Fest without my dad, but he was extremely proud of how much the Fest focuses on education, and I intend to continue ensuring that the programs continue to be strong.
If you are interested in participating but have any questions at all, feel free to reach out to me at ray.feller@gmail.com.
Please fill out this interest form to help us organize accordingly:
https://forms.gle/CcqxUGYtbwxjD19J7
Catalog Cruising
by Fred Schwan
Lyn Knight had an auction of world notes over the weekend. I was a bit late in going through it. That was a mistake because--as I expected--it included many things of interest. Here is the piece that I liked the most. This local Vichy Martinique note is very scarce to rare, but the part that really intrigues me is the condition. Yes, the low grade attracts me. I have never seen one of these with evidence of significant circulation.
Editorial
Did you ever ask a waitress in a restaurant for her phone number? I never had--until last week that is. Not until last week that is AND she gave it to me! The Boss approved the entire episode. You will not be surprised that there is more to the story.
Kayleigh was our server. She was wearing lots of artist created jewelry. I had talked to her briefly one time before and knew that she was the artist. This time I engaged her in more conversation. I asked her if she knew what trench art jewelry is. She did not, but she clearly liked the concept. Then she had to tend to a customer and I got out my phone.
By the time that she returned, I was prepared to show her a World War II Australian-American bracelet. She was very interested. She told us that her heritage was Dutch then she had to attend to another customer.
When she returned this time, I told her about the Dutch people defying Nazi occupiers by crafting their silver coins into jewelry and I showed her one on eBay. She was really hooked. Then she told us that she was fascinated by World War II history and the war was the only genre she read. Now I was hooked!
I asked her for a favorite title and was prepared to be disappointed. Instead I was amazed at what she said. She told us that she was reading The Diary of Anne Frank. Actually, that did not surprise me too much. It was the next part that surprised me. She said that when she bought her copy she bought FOUR copies so that her family (including twin thirteen year old girls) could read it together!
This is when I asked her for her number. Actually, first I asked her if Kayleigh the artist had a business card which she did not. That was ok because I the World War II buff and potential jewelry client did not have a card either. Now that I am telling you this on an internet device, I regret that I did not ask for her email address.
There is a little twist that I did not think of in time to tell Kayleigh, but I will next time. My oldest recollection relating to World War II and history thereof was seeing my cousin perform in the play ca 1954
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 do not know what happened. I received a Gram today. It is the first one in over a year! Keep up the good work.
Ed B
Dear Ed,
We do not have a clue why you received the Gram, but we are happy that you did! If you think that you have missed Grams, check militarypaymentcertificates.us. You can also look there for other important information.
Editor
Dear Editor,
I am in the process of acquiring a large horde of military currency. Most of it is AMC, a few BASV and a small group of MPC. If anyone has a want list in those areas I may be able to help after I receive it. They can send inquires to GE1948@vistabeam.com or Gibbs Enterprizes P.O. Box 83, Gering, NE 69341.
Larry
Dear Larry,
Sounds interesting. The very best way to get the word out is for you to create a list of what you have and publish it in the Gram.
Editor
Dear Editor,
February 2 is the 125th anniversary of the creation of the Army Nurse Corps.
Myers
Dear Bill,
You know the rules: numismatics. Show us some nurse numismatics!
Editor
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
MPCFest 2026 10-12 April 2026
Traditionally, spring is the time when armies begin thinking about campaigning. As we look past winter into spring, the annual "campaign" of MPC Fest approaches. Fest is the premier event of the year for those who collect Military Payment Certificates or any other form of military currency. For those who have not attended, Fest is a combination of educational presentations, a hard-fought military numismatic trivia contest, the annual Dining-In, and above all, fellowship with other military collectors, and of course – poker. What would a military event be without poker? And to build your collection, it begins with an open-to-the public bourse on Friday and ends with an auction on Sunday. It is an event not to be missed for anyone with any interest in military currency. Dates for Fest 2026 are Friday, 10 April 2026 through Sunday, 12 April 2026. Location is Camp Leo May, aka the Holiday Inn Express, 50 NE Catawba Rd, Port Clinton, OH, 43452. Register by calling 419-732-7322. Don't miss this unique event. Oorah!
Georgia Numismatic Assn Show 17-19 Apr, Dalton – Festers attending Central States - 22-25 April 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, Ray Feller family, 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)