Japanese American Internment Camp Money from WWII
September 10, 2026, 12 p.m. MT
Ray will share both numismatics and exonumia from the Japanese American Internment Camps during WWII. The talk will go through the history and describe how the internees put lives together while behind barbed wire. Highlights include special coupons, co-op money, event tickets, special tokens, and more. She will also share how she and her father researched this area.
Ray Feller is Associate Dean and Director of Student Support Services at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her interest in numismatics began because she wanted an excuse to go on adventures with her father, Steve. As a child, she began the quarterly column "Rachel Notes" in the International Bank Note Society Journal. The column ran from when she was in elementary school until she was in graduate school. Ray wrote her undergraduate thesis on camp money and her doctoral dissertation on how collecting can help people process traumatic experiences. She very much enjoys research and is especially focused on money used during World War II. She and her late father wrote a book on civilian camp money, Silent Witnesses: Civilian Camp Money of World War II, published by BNR Press in 2007. They also co-wrote articles, gave dozens of presentations, and ran the educational portion of the annual MPC Fest (an annual meeting for collectors of military currency and related objects). Ray is continuing these efforts and has been including her children for a third generation of numismatists. Alongside camp money, Ray collects short snorters and other notes with stories.
Here's the link: https://info.money.org/numismatalks
Editorial
We are excited to publish the notice of Ray Feller's presentation on camp money TOMORROW!!! We wish that this were a simple reminder of an event that had been on the Gram calendar for months, but, alas, we only learned of it yesterday. Nevertheless, it is important enough that we yeller "stop the presses," and got this notice out to you.
The event is free, but registration is required. Go to https://info.money.org/numismatalks
We look forward to attending the event (virtually). We also look forward to some reports from readers on the event.
Upon going to the site we were pleased to be reminded that it is possible to view past programs on military numismatics. Thee include presentations by the Fellers, your editor and Joe Boling. You are invited to view those programs and to make your comments thereon here.
This breaking news report pushed the ANA convention reports to next week, breaking news anytime.
Mail Call
The Gram A welcomes mail from readers. Mail may be edited for space or clarity. Writers must be known to the editorial office and will be identified in the Gram by real or nickname.
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to comment on the Gram article by Tom Sparks about the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, PA.
Because Indiana is my hometown it brought back memories of shopping at Stewart's Hardware Store that was located across the street from the museum and looking at the window display that was dedicated to Jimmy's WWII and acting accomplishments. It was a thrill to walk down Main Street and see Jimmy strolling along when he was back in Indiana to visit his parents.
I've enjoyed visiting the museum and would recommend a visit to anyone in the area.
Thanks for memories Tom!
— John Watta
Gram 2666 identified February 19-21, 2027 for next years Fest. The calendar portion of subsequent Grams says March 19-21.
Which is it?
— JAD
Dear JAD,
19-21 March, 19-21 March, 19-21 March and 19-21 March.
— 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.
Japanese American Internment Camp Money from WWII 10 September 10, 2026, 12 p.m. MT
Ray Feller will share both numismatics and exonumia from the Japanese American Internment Camps during WWII. The talk will go through the history and describe how the internees put lives together while behind barbed wire. Highlights include special coupons, co-op money, event tickets, special tokens, and more. She will also share how she and her father researched this area.
IKO TAMS Englewood, Oho 9-10 October. Fred Schwan attending
Michigan State Numismatic Society 20 - 21 November. Kathy Freeland, Fred Schwan attending
2027
MPCFest, Holiday Inn Express, Port Clinton, OH 19-21 March registration required (except bourse 19 - February) 419 349 1872 (questions) 419 732 7322 (registration, ask for Kim).
American Numismatic Association National Money Show, 4-6 March Virginia Beach, VA (Bolings attending).
Michigan State Numismatic Society 9-11 April. Kathy Freeland attending
Georgia Numismatic Association April 16-18, Dalton, GA. (John Phipps, David Marble attending)
Central States Numismatic Society, April 21-24 Schaumburg, IL
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, Joel Shafer.
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.
Large World War II home front ration collection featuring an MV red token and ration book 5. Too many items to describe. Contact Dave Frank at dave@frankcomputers.com and I will email you a list of all the items. Would prefer to sell the whole collection rather than individual items. It's a very nice collection accumulated over 25 years.
List your items for sale here for FREE
WANTED
Harold Kroll HARBONS@aol.com