Hello everyone! I did a search of the board for this topic, but only found a post from lettow about a Ft Meade P.O.W. chit. I've seen a couple detached mess chits and one entire book (from 1917-21) of them. Are there any good references out there discussing these chits? Also, please post any you have, I'd love to see them! -Jack
The only listings of POW chits that I know of are found in: 1) Ruth Hill's Trial Listing of POW chits (which is 30+ years old), 2) Campbell's book on Prisoner of War money, and 3) WWII Remembered (which draws largely from Campbell). I do not know of any attempt at a complete listing of mess and club chits. I recently talked to a collector who only specializes in chits used in Vietnam. His collection is over 700 different pieces.
Being a military brat, I can remember we used them on base - might still have some 25c chits lying around somewhere.
I was hoping you two would chime in. I only have one, good for 5¢ at Orlando AFB Officer's Mess. Got it to go along with my Orlando trade token. From there I saw a couple more and started getting curious. I noticed a book by Bows about Vietnam, think it was called Another way to Remember. My understanding was that it had medals, trade tokens, MPCs, chits, checks, and more. Might be worth checking out. What branch are you from Scottish?
I looked in www.bookfinder.com for publications by Bows, but not sure this is the right author, as your title did not appear in the search: Ray A. Bows Time-Line Vietnam: the Tiger That Ate the Firebase Vietnam Military Lore: Legends, Shadows & Heroes Vietnam: Military Lore 1959-1973
I've only seen paper ones but I'm not sure they were called chits, that's the name I've seen eBay sellers use to describe them. Here's an example http://m.ebay.com/itm/121312226672?txnId=0
For Military Tokens (not paper based) I can recommend two volumes by Paul A. Cunningham. Volume 1 is domestic "Military Tokens of the United States". Volume two is for overseas issues. Paul's website is: http://www.cunninghamexonumia.com/tokens.htm
Thanks PennyGuy, and I can only completely agree with you. I actually just received the both volumes. The first was left behind in Korea for a while and the second I got from Rich Hartzog about two weeks ago or so. They are invaluable and I often just browse them in awe of all the former military installations. Thanks for including the website!
I should add, I've been seriously collecting military trade tokens and now I'm getting into military payment certificates. These payment chits are another curiosity.
You are most welcome. A few years ago I was at Paul Cunningham's table in Baltimore and picked out a group of NCO club tokens from installations I spent time at in Viet Nam. He reached under his table and handed me Volume 2, and said, Here, take this home. So every chance I get I spread the word about these great books.
Jack - - I know Ray Bows and have been working with him on a series of counterstamped coins that he has personal knowledge of. His intention is to publish an article about them in a numismatic journal. I got in touch with him through Greg Brunk who had corresponded with him a number of years ago about this same group of coins. Greg said he lost touch with him and never did get the complete story behind them. I got his last known address in Florida from Greg and decided to see if he still lives there. He does. I'm familiar with his Vietnam-era books which apparently are first rate. During one of our conversations he mentioned to me about another book that he expects to publish shortly. I'm not sure what type of military payment instruments it covers exactly, but they're all from U.S. military installations that were active during the Vietnam War. Apparently, he spent a lot of time there himself, so speaks with authority on the subject. If you'd like me to contact him on your behalf I'll be more than happy to do so. I don't feel right about giving you his contact information without permission. He's easy to talk to seems to be the genuine "article". Bruce
