TRIVIA: Short Snorter?

I'd like to introduce you, who don't already know, to the "short snorter" paper currency.

A "short snorter" is a banknote which circulated during World War II and/or the Korean War upon which signatures were exchanged between those travelling together or meeting up at different events. "Short snorters" are frequently found on U.S. 1935 One Dollar Silver Certificates and low denomination foreign banknotes. Specific information about the individuals who signed these notes adds to the collectible interest of the artifact (i.e., bombadier group, medic, engineer company, fighter squadron, M.A.S.H. unit, Military Police Detachment, ship and submarine crews, etc.) as War Memorabilia.

The tradition of the "Short Snorter" was actually started by British troops who collected paper currency from all the countries they had served in, and connected (taped/stapled) them together (without signatures) like an accordian. At the pub, each man unfurled his collection and the one with the shortest collection had to buy drinks for all his buddies.

In the U.S., Airborne Paratroops, one $1 Silver Cerificates (including the Hawaii and. Africa WW2 Emergency money), passed around to be signed by buddies were kept as souvenirs. This "short snorter" could be a single banknote with a single signature on either side, one signature on the obverse and one other signature on the reverse or many signatures on one side or both sides. The links to the photos of the obverse and reverse one dollar silver certificate depicted below is of a "short snorter" kept by Nick Denovchik of A/501 PIR and is signed by such men as Bill Spivey (POW-lost eye to a German potato masher at St Georges du Bohon on D-Day), Lt Sumpter Blackmon (EXO), Michael Kovalik, T/5 Marty Knafl (POW on D-Day), Lt Edley Craighill (KIA), John Fekete, Lt Bert Waggoner, Medic Francis Harbaugh (DSC with 508th at Hill 30), Frank Seymour (mail clerk-later 1st Sgt), Joe Taylor (PW at St Georges on D-Day), Lt Paul Gibson, and Joseph Forese (KIA).

Here's photos of the obverse and reverse of Nick Denovchik's silver certificate "short snorter" courtesy of Mark Bando:

Obverse:

http://www.101airborneww2.com/Asnorter.jpg

Reverse:

http://www.101airborneww2.com/AsnorterA.jpg

You remember what I wrote earlier about whose "short snorter" was the shortest? Some strung-together collections of "short snorters" attained six feet in length with the individual currency bills being taped or stapled together.

The late Joe Beyrle of I/506th was a great accumulator or 101st Airborne and other assorted WW2 memorabilia. In early 2005, his son, Joe B II, took on the task of sorting through his father's treasure trove. Among his discoveries was the British type "short snorter" whose photo link follows this paragraph. As you will see it is many feet long and like the original ones, consists of bills from different nations, all stapled together. The staples had started to rust so a decision was made to separate the bills into single "short snorters" and place them in a western Michigan museum.

http://www.101airborneww2.com/Beyrlesnorter.jpg


"Short Snorters" weren't only created by military members in combat zones, nor were all the signatures sought, military personnel.

Witness this statement by Fred Riley:

"After being overseas I was in a Hollywood night club and Sophie Tucker was singing there so I asked for her autograph on my "Short Snorter" bill.

She agreed and asked for a pen, I did not have one so one of the civilian men at her table offered his pen. She signed, I thanked her, and not thinking, put the pen into my pocket. The owner asked me to return it... I was very embarrassed, but I have her autograph."

Quite an important signature back then, but here's another "Short Snorter" loaded with important signatures:

The American pilot who ferried President Franklin Roosevelt and his staff to the secret meeting in Tehran (The Teheran Conference was the first WWII meeting of the "Big Three" countries - Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States. It was at this conference that the leading powers planned the final strategy for defeating Nazi Germany and her allies. The conference was held November 28 to December 1, 1943 and was attended by Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt and their combined staffs.) was able to create a "Short Snorter" bearing the signatures of Roosevelt and several of his aides including Harry Hopkins, Rear Admiral Wilson Brown, Major General E. M. Watson, Dr. Ross McIntire, Admiral William Leahy, and several other military men on the reverse. The obverse of the bill bears the heading "Special Mission 22/11/43."

A Great Britain pilot garnered Winston Churchill's signature on a "Short Snorter."

History points out the fact Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt was flown to many of President Roosevelt's political meetings and important speeches. Guess what? One of the pilots ferrying her around, use to brag about his job and proved his boasting by proudly brandishing a "Short Snorter" bearing her signature.

Thinking about this a question formed in my mind:

Why can't we get hold of $1 Silver Certificate series '35 or '57 (or any Federal Reserve Note) and collect signatures on it/them?

It could be general as our favorite sports team players or as specific as coaches or managers or team owners, etc.

Nunismatists (you and me) could get signatures from fellow Coin Club members, Coin Club officers, coin dealers, coin forum monitors (Coin Talk?), their buddy or friends list members, the guest celebrities who flip the coins at college bowl games (football, baseball, etc.) (All Star games, Super Bowl games), coin show bourse participents, and you probably can think of a lot more categories.

If you send a "short snorter" banknote to someone for their signature, always (ALWAYS) enclose a self-addressed-stamped-envelope for easy return of your banknote without cost to the signer. Try to contact the person whose signature you are seeking by USPS, e-mail or telephone and explain the reason you want his/her signature, before sending the banknote. Never (NEVER) send your "short snorter" without permission and an SASE!

Just an idea...


Clinker

 

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I recently read an article on these in the Numismatist. What a terrific idea (on your part Clinker) to give this tradition an update flair. Thanks for the read Clinker......

 

green18:

Thank you for reading and your comment...

Clinker

 

That answered alot of questions I had. THank you.

 

TheNoost:

Glad to help answer those questions...:high5:

Clinker

 

What I find surprising is that no one ever seems to point out the obvious connection between the short snorter and the military challenge coins. Namely the challenge at the bar to produce them and the person with the shortest/ or who doesn't have his has to pay for the drinks.

Military challenge coins claim a longer heritage, but I had never heard of them until fairly recently but the short snorter tradition was well nown and established and can definitely be traced back to at lest the start of the second world war. Short snorters were originally somewhat unique to the air force personel and then later to the ground forces. I strongly suspect the short snorters were actually the start of what later became the challenge coins.

 

Thanks for the info Clinker! Ever since the article in The Numismatist, I have been looking into the short snorters. They sure are neat!

 

Conder101:

Hi and thanks for reminding us of the "Challenge" coins!

Clinker

 

byrd740:

I'm trying to get signatures from all the Coin Talk members on my "Friends" list on a 1935 series Silver Certificate.

Clinker

 

I'll have a line also. Traci

 

Ripley:

Hi...

Thanks for reading my "Short Snorter" trivia...

Clinker

 

Terrific post. I think the short snorters are a great piece of history. The CoinPeople forum has had an annual "Short Snorter" project since 2004. It's produced some very interesting keepsakes.

You can see the 2004 Collection of Snorters here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/ugotahaveart/sets/72157613230961040/

 

Y'all owe me a drink!!

 

Great post as usual Clinker - always learn something from your trivia!

Thanks for the history lesson!!!

Darryl

 

I have one that is a Dutch note signed mostly by women, it is dated 1945.

It is on my website under "World Paper Money".

Details:
Netherlands 1945 1 Guilder note signed by several people
The note is dated July 12, 1945, Heerlien, Holland
Heerlien is probably Heerlen
Most of the names are of women

 

Okay, this has me thinking now...I have a nice 'short snorter' ..it is on occupation money ...Japanesse printed for use in the Phillippines. It was most likely done by
Marine ground forces during the retaking of the island. I think it is on a 5 peso with 5-7 signatures. I will try to post pics later.
AND....................
1) This has me thinking about doing some research on the signatures to see if these guys made it home, rank, home town, or any other info I might be able to find. Who knows one of the signatures could be Gen. MacArthur's as I have not really tried to make out the signatures.
2) I am going to start me a short snorter and it will start today because I think I will get the chance to meet Will Nipper(In Yankee Doodle's Pocket) and I will have a nice 1957 series Silver Cert. on me to have him sign. He will be traveling to the Memphis Coin and Currency Show with HandsomeToad and I will have both sign it.

Thanks Clinker for the post .....It has got my WHEELS turning
Eddie in Memphis

 

Edinmem:

Hi Eddie in Memphis: :high5:

Will be watching for your "Short Snorter" pics. Keep us informed on your own "Short Snorter."

Clinker

 

Art:

Wow! What a great collection! Esprcially like the enlargement abiklity (especially the Krasna_Vityaz 5 Dollar Note! Thanks for sharing! :hug:

Clinker

 

cesariojpn:

KissThanks for sharing the photo!

Clinker

 

willieboy:

Thanks for the info. Whar's your site's URL? :secret:

Clinker