Bill Rosenblum passed
Message from Kathy Freeland
I am sad to share the news that Bill Rosenblum passed away last Tuesday, March 10, exactly one month before his 81st birthday. He was loved and will be missed dearly.
Bill's obituary is here: https://everloved.com/life-of/william-rosenblum/ You may also share a memory there.
His friends at the Denver Area World Numismatists (DAWN), of which Bill was a Life Member, are preparing another obituary focusing on his numismatic career, forthcoming soon.
A Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 11, 11:00am (Mountain Time), at The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park (26624 North Turkey Creek Road, Evergreen, CO 80439).
We will continue to list coins on our website until further decisions are made about Bill's inventory. Please feel free to share this to ensure those who knew him are aware of his passing.
With gratitude, Brian and the Rosenblum family
Good or Bad?
Joe Boling is offering his world famous Detecting Counterfeit Paper Money class at MPCFest 2026. The class will be on Sunday evening at Camp Leo May (aka Holiday Inn Express) after formal Fest activities have concluded. Seating is limited. Priority free registration goes to Festers. Interested non Festers should also apply.
Early preregistration is important to allow Joe to pack the appropriate number of microscopes and other equipment. Prospective students should contact Joe ASAP at Joeboling@AOL.com.
This is an important opportunity for collectors and dealers.
Fest 2026 news and updates
from Fest HQ
Starting today Fest information will be posted on Facebook. The first item to be posted is the Fest invoice. Veteran Festers know the system. Festers print the page before arriving at the Fest, fill it out and present it with a check (made out to Fred Schwan) or cash to the registrar (Judy Schwan). The registrar will be available during most of the bourse hours outside Camp May.
Later today (Mar 22) a draft schedule will also be posted at Facebook. For those of you who do not use Facebook, the information will also be posted at militarypaymentcertificates.us. Fest HQ will continue to post information at both places. Feel free to check both places between Grams. You are also encouraged to make comments at Facebook.
These postings are done courtesy of Doug Bell and David Schwan. Thank you to both.
News from the National Money Show
from Bill Myers
From the National Money show congratulations to the festers winning exhibit awards.
In Science:
- Second place: Brett Irick, "Early Republic of Mexico Hand-on-Book Half Escudo Gold Coins 1825-1870."
In Emeritus:
- First place: Helen-Louise Boling, "The Spirit of A City: The New York City Medal."
Fort Sheridan
by Tom Casper
I am a regular reader of the Gram. I know you are always looking for military paper for your readers. I have a set of 4 notes from Fort Sheridan, (Illinois).
They are in denominations of 1 Buck, 2 Bits, 4 Bits, and 5 Bucks. They measure 7 3/4" x 4" with blank backs. The notes say "Issue of Oct. 31, 1919" which is Halloween. I wonder if any other denominations exist? Are you familiar with these? I wonder who issued them and for what purpose. Maybe one of your Gramsters might know.
Editorial
Bill Rosenblum was a friend of the Gram and of the editor. We were friends for about fifty (yes fifty) years. He called me when Steve Feller died. He needed to share his grief with someone. I was flattered that he called me. We told each other some stories about Steve and laughed. And cried. We talked about the absolute need to live every moment to the most. Can a heart be doubly broken?
We talked about missed opportunities to chat when he drove by your place on the interstate and how we were determined to have a coffee on one of his trips. Opportunity lost.
We never did very much business together. He bought an advertisement in Feller/Feller and I brought a few pins (!) and notes from him. I remember one trench art coin in particular. I must make a point of finding it and marking the holder as having been purchased from Bill Rosenblum.
Bill, rest in peace.
Fest preparations are moving fast. We are looking forward to seeing everyone real soon. The two highest priority items are 1) make your Fest registration by calling Kim at 419-732-7322, and 2) register with Joe for the counterfeit detection class. If you are coming to the Fest and have never taken the class. You should. You will learn a lot of IMPORTANT stuff!
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 pleased to send you this cover featuring the one of the stickers that you found at the stamp show.
Bataan War Prisoners Relief of Illinois was a 1942–1945 era organization and campaign that raised funds and awareness for American POWs held by Japan, particularly those from the Bataan Death March. It utilized specialized poster stamps and held bond drives to support captives and their families.
Key Details Regarding the Relief Efforts:
- Purpose: The initiative aimed to raise awareness and provide aid to prisoners of war and their families.
- Organization: It was affiliated with the Bataan Relief Organization in Illinois, which was active throughout the war.
- Fundraising Tools: The group distributed "Cinderella" stamps or labels, often featuring the text "Bataan War Prisoners" and "Bataan Relief Of Illinois," primarily around 1942–1945.
- Activities: The organization and its partners hosted annual bond drives and parades each September to support their efforts.
- Context: The effort focused on soldiers from the 192nd Tank Battalion and other units involved in the Bataan Death March, many of whom endured extreme brutality, starvation, and disease.
— Myers
Dear Bill,
Wow, what a cool cover from Chicago to the Philippines with such great stamps and stickers. You continue to amaze me. Thank you. I look forward to your next mail.
— Editor
Fest Auction
By Dave Frank, auctioneer
There is less than 4 weeks to consign lots for the MPC Fest 2026 auction to be held at the Fest on Sunday April 12th. The success of the auction depends on consignments and I am looking for them now. Basically, you may submit as many lots as you want, there is no seller's fee. Lots can be submitted for sale or as a donation to the Fest scholarship fund. Remember that the money raised from donated lots fund the scholarships to send interested collectors to the Military Numismatics course at the ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs. The Military Numismatics course will be offered this year, and it's important to raise funds to send as many interested people as we can. I will not be able to attend the Fest this year but will still be setting up the auction catalog, Roger Urce will actually be running the auction. I would appreciate it if you would send me a description of the lot with the minimum bid and designate whether it is to be a donated lot or one you wish to sell. Then please bring the lot with you to the Fest and Roger will collect them on Thursday or Friday of the Fest. If you are not coming to the Fest, but wish to submit lots, please contact me and I will provide further instructions. I really need the lot information sent to me no later than one week prior to the Fest so that I can produce a catalog that will appear in the Gram and it can be included in the packet for distribution at the Fest. My contact email and cell are dave@frankcomputers.com and 314-602-4228.
Thanks, and let's have another successful auction.
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.
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, Kathy Freeland, 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)