Military Money

Might just be a common 'mistake'?? I have all my notes labeled as such as well. I see it all the time on dealer websites too. But then, there are alot of terms that are used, and not all are correct looks like i just might have some maintenace to do as well

 

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I like being wrong, no big deal. Everyone knows what the Obverse and Reverse is..

 

It would be nice if they had a major fest here on the West coast for us
Beach goers, I guess all the people that collect Military Payment live on
The East coast!

LOL

 

The MPCFest is held in Port Clinton, OH because that is where Fred Schwan lives. There had been talk of moving it to Florida at one point but that was never seriously pursued. In addition to being Fred's hometown, it is unlikely that the Fest can be duplicated elsewhere for the same low cost. He gets incredibly low rates for the hotel because PC is a Lake Erie resort town and the Fest is held off-season.

At least 5 people come annually from the West Coast for the Fest in OH. Others come from TX and FL. There are even a handful of Canadians.

 

What happens at MPCFest? Is it like a traditional coin show or what? I would like to go, maybe... It is kinda far, but I have driven for less.

 

Since you asked . . .

Events start on Thursday night with dinner which is a small buffet. It is nothing special but it is the first opportunity to meet and greet. About half of the attendees come early enough to go to dinner. After dinner is a bowling event. It is a two game, handicapped 9 pin. As with most events, it is not a serious competition but it is a good time. Then back to the hotel for general BS sessions.

A bourse opens on Friday morning. About a dozen dealers set up tables to sell material. Most of it is paper although some have coins, tokens and medals.

The Fest officially opens after dinner on Friday. There are introductions, some exhibits and the opening rounds of March Madness. The Fest version of March Madness is a head-to-head single elimination military numismatic trivia contest. The night ends with more BS sessions.

Saturday starts with a picture of he group. Educational programs and show-and-tell run through most of the day. You never know what or who will be there. In 2008, an MPC destruction officer from Vietnam was there. In 2009, Hans Walter, one of the Operation Bernhard counterfeiters was present.

On Saturday evening, the later rounds of March Madness are held. In the evening are the March Madness finals followed by a Texas Hold'em tournament. There is a movie showing for those who don't play cards. A visit to a tavern (or several) is not unknown. More general BS sessions also take place.

Sunday morning starts with the awards program where the bowling, March Madness and poker champions are recognized. Also recognized are the volunteers who make the event happen. A lifetime achievement award is also handed out. The official events close with an auction.

There are events planned for late Sunday and Monday for those that hang around. There are also events like shopping trips and museums for spouses. My wife came in 2009 and had a good time.

You also get paid for coming. Everyone receives pay in Military Fest Certificates (MFC), souvenir notes made for the occasion. Pay is a reenactment of a military pay call. Sometime on Saturday there is a conversion to a new series of MFC.

It is pretty informally run and the only rule is that there are no rules. Actually, the only rule is to have a good time.

The material is incredible. This year saw a book of progressive proofs for Series 681. Last year had a set of proofs of the American Bank Note Company notes for the 1948 German Currency Reform. You will see POW and internment camp notes, Foreign Trade Payment Certificates, JEIA Travellers Coupons, war bonds from almost any country.

More importantly, you will not forget the people you meet and the things you will learn. This years Fest was attended by such numismatic luminaries as Fred Schwan, Joe Boling, Neil Shafer, George Cuhaj, Cliff Mishler and Carlson Chambliss.

 

People come from all around the country. The largest contingent comes from Wisconsin. There are people there from California, Arizona, Washington, Alabama, Iowa, Florida, New York, Maine and a contingent from Canada.

Many fly in. Transportation can be arranged from Detroit, Toledo or Cleveland.

 

Iam heading back to live in Indiana at the end of the month, Thats close to
Ohio....Maybe!!

 

There are also a fair number that come from Indiana, mostly from Fort Wayne. Joe Boling lives in Indianapolis now.

 

Yeah!, Fort Wayne will be my stop! Do you have a list of the festers that live
There? Maybe i could hook up with the group?

 

My dad just gave me a $1 MPC from his time in the Navy (mid-late 60's). What I found most interesting is that the level of counterfeit protection built in vastly rivals normal currency of its time. I'm going to try to figure out how to work my scanner to take a pic of it and post here. It has a picture of a woman wearing a crown, but no idea who it is.

 

I think this is the one your talking about??
Very nice!!

 

There you go Bob

 

Apologies for the blurry snap-shot of this note and I only have an image of the face available for reference since it's away in a SDB with some other heirloom notes I own.

I have one piece of Allied Military Currency, and I was wondering if this is considered a different designation than MPC notes? Can someone point me to a source online to read about the differences and can anyone cite a catalog number for this (well circulated) note so that I can reference it in my research? Thanks in advance.

Allied Military Currency
Issued in Italy - 1 Lira
Series 1943
SN: A25821893A

[shows old handwriting in pencil on the face]