Unique Bourse (Show) -- Tables on Sale
The David Seelye numismatic will be held during the day on 10 April. The event is unique is several ways. The event looks like a small coin show -- bourse tables with cases and collectors looking for treasure. The show is on FRIDAY! That is not Friday and Saturday, No it is Friday (ca 1000-1500 hrs). Best of all the merchants (some dealers and collectors) are selling (and buying) military payment certificates, Allied military currency, Japanese Invasion Money and other military numismatic items. You are likely to find something of interest!
Military numismatic bourse tables are available now at the super low price of $50 while supplies last. The tables of table holders from last year are reserved for them until April 1. Contact Roger Urce the bourse chair at stjasele@gmail.com (or assistant fredschwan@yahoo.com).
Postal Savings System
by Bill Myers
Postal Savings System $1 certificate dated 5 January 1944
I was at a coin show and found a Postal Savings System $1 certificate dated 5 January 1944. The date caught my eye as it was issued during World War II. I was aware that the Postal Savings System existed before World War II and wondered if this certificate could be a World War II numismatic item. I know the date does not qualify it, so I researched the Postal Savings System.
Here is some background information about the Postal Savings System. It was introduced to allow people a safe and convenient way to save money, especially if people did not have access to banks or did not have enough money for a bank account. The Postal Savings System was operated by the United States Post Office Department (now the United States Postal Service) and started on 1 January 1911. The funds were deposited into interest bearing accounts in banks. Half percent was kept for operating costs and about two percent went to the customer.
Now to fast forward to World War II. Certificates were available in values of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $200 and $500. The amount deposited in the Postal Savings Service in 1929 was $153 million, jumped to $1.2 billion in the 1930s and during World War II soared to 3.4 billion by 1947. The reason for the jump during World War II was a combination of a lack of products to buy, interest rates in banks dropping to 1% or less, and the convenience of using the post office due to working long hours and workers being displaced from their homes for work and thus having no access to their bank.
There are 6 series of certificates (1911, 1913, 1917, 1918, 1939 and 1954). The 1939 certificates were issued from 1939 to 1953, and it should not be a surprise that these are the series most available to collectors. The Postal Savings Service ended 1 July 1967 and no claims after 13 July 1985 have been honored.
The certificate I have is from West Farms Station in New York City. The serial number is A 4055. The prefix letter is based on the denomination and goes from A to I ($1-500). It came with a folder PS 301 (AUG. 1935) to hold the certificate and the depositors' numerical reference card PS 301-A (Sept. 1940).
Now to determine if the Postal Savings System $1 certificate qualifies as a World War II numismatic item. I use the criteria of "if it happened because of World War II, then it is a World War II item". I consider a coin to be a World War II coin if the mintage increased to meet the demands created by the war. There was a significant increase in the number of series of 1939 certificates issued as noted above and this is why I consider it to be a World War II numismatic item. The date of issue is important, and I feel it must be issued after 7 December 1941 through 1945, possibly through 1947 as the effects of World War II were still present.
Since I consider this certificate to be a World War II item, it is going into my collection. I know there will be some controversy about this and I welcome any input.
Editorial
I wish that I had coordinated with Bill Myers about the above item. It is exactly the kind of thing that I look for at stamp shows! I hope that I can do as well as Bill did!
Joe wrote (correctly) to tell me that I was unclear about the March Party and some other things. Thank you Joe. I want to be clear the March Party is this Fri (Mar 13th). It will be at the Best Western Plus, 15471 Royalton Road, Strongsville, OH 44136. In spite of notices in two Grams you should check the details yourself at garfieldperry.org. New Gramster (and hopefully new Fester) Dave Lowenthal and I will be there. I/we would love to chat with you. Might have a cup of coffee too. I plan on taking a little collection along for a show'n tell.
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.
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.
Garfield Perry stamp show, Strongsville, Ohio March 10-13 (Fred attending on Friday) 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!
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.
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
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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)