Japanese Invasion Money Key Note Topic
Ray Feller, MPC Fest training officer, is happy and proud to announce that Professor Kaz Fujita will give the MPC Fest key note presentation! The key note presentation will be shortly after lunch on April 11 at Camp Leo May (aka Holiday Inn Express Port Clinton).
Professor Fujita provided the following bio information for Gram readers and Festers.
I started collecting JIM back when I was in high school and was encouraged to collect by block and look for variations by the late Adrian Nader over the following years.
In the late 1970s I had the good fortune to meet and talk with the late Isao Gunji of the research department of the Bank of Japan. Subsequently, I published a series of articles on the quantity printed and issued of Japanese military notes in World Coin News trying to use Japanese sources. After making acquaintance with Joe Boling many years later, I updated my earlier findings and, with his encouragement, published a revised article in the IBNS Journal in 2003. Through the years, I expanded my research interests to the financial and currency history of Japan, still with emphasis on the 1932 – 1946 period. I continue to be interested in issue dates, quantities printed and issued, and minor variations in notes during the time of their issue. Over the years, I have collaborated with Joe on studies of hansatsu, notes of the reversion of Okinawa, local and private issues in the early 20th century, updates to World War II Remembered, and replacement notes, the subject of today's MPC Fest talk and intended for publication in the IBNS Journal.
Joe Boling will introduce Professor Fujita. By special arrangement The Boss has authorized the general public to attend this important presentation on a space available basis.
Fest Auction Alert
By Dave Frank
There are only two weeks left to the start of the Fest and so far I only have 64 lots. If we are going to have a successful auction, we need at least 150 to 200 more. Please send me your consignment sale and donation material (description and starting bid and status as sale or donation to Dave@frankcomputers.com.
Hello everyone! Do you have any new discoveries? Something fun for show and tell? Exciting history to share? A surprising collecting find?
Please share it with us at the Fest! We still have times available and welcome those who have spoken before and first-timers alike! Please fill out this interest form to help with planning. You can also email ray.feller@gmail.com.
Looking forward!
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 to Updates
from Fest HQ
After problems with typos and other glitches, the Fest invoice and draft training schedule are posted on Facebook and at militarypaymentcertificates.us. If there is a typo there, you should be able to figure it out--the full version of MPC.us.
As of this moment the draft program has been posted and updated. Other applicable information will be posted through April 9. At that time we expect to post the entire Fest program/guide at MPC.us.
These postings are done courtesy of Doug Bell and David Schwan. Thank you to both.
Editorial
I am sorry that this issue of the Gram is so full of Fest news, but there is no getting around it, the Fest is the news of the moment.
For those of you who will be attending, please see to business. Donate or consign something to the auction and send the list to Dave. While you are at it, send your proposal for a staff briefing to Ray.
I was a bit late, but I sent what I think is a nice group to Dave for the auction. I have had my staff briefing (aka show'n tell) ready for a long time, but only recently sent it to Ray--shame on me. I am looking forward to giving it. I have three items that are not well known to collectors. I am going to tell their stories.
I also am looking forward to hearing the other presentations and am particularly excited to hear the JIM key note presentation.
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.
Hello everyone! Do you have any new discoveries? Something fun for show and tell? Exciting history to share? A surprising collecting find?
Please share it with us at the Fest! We still have times available and welcome those who have spoken before and first-timers alike! Please fill out this interest form to help with planning. You can also email ray.feller@gmail.com.
Looking forward!
— Ray Feller
June 1944 Mademoiselle magazine front cover featuring a $100 War Bond
Dear Editor,
I recently purchased the June 1944 edition of Mademoiselle magazine. The $100 War Bond on the front cover caught my eye. The back cover is also interesting. On the left is a woman wearing work clothes with a button on the left front shirt pocket with her picture and writing on it. It appears to be identification for where she works. Across the top is "Want to see my Lady Buxton hideaway for my Bond Money?" It is described as a "pocket file" for gas-ration book, license, identification, etc. It also states, "Since I began hiding away my 10% War Bond money in my Lady Buxton's "Secret Pocket" there's been a lot less temptation to spend it!"
Back cover Lady Buxton ad promoting war bonds and gas-ration book storage
Buxton is trying to sell their product ($2, $3.50, $5 depending on the type) but is promoting purchasing war bonds and notes its usefulness for carrying the gas-rationing book. It is trying to appeal to the working women who are "practically living in slacks these days" but also pictures a woman in a skirt and an evening gown using it. The ad is adapting to the wartime situation on the home front to promote their product.
— Myers
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!
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, Dave Hunsicker, Brett Irick, 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)