u/Calm_Antelope_4697

This medal was struck by the Medallic Art Company and protested the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia on March 15, 1939. The obverse depicts a man chained between two Nazi pillars while the reverse has the coat of arms of Czechoslovakia.

I have a box of The German Postal Specialist that I would like to find a good home for. DM me if you're interested or looking for specific issues. I'm willing to ship in the US via media mail or Fedex, but I ask that you reimburse me the shipping.

I originally posted this in r/Militarynumismatics, but thought that I'd share it here too.

When people think about military numismatics, they often think about Allied Military Currency or Military Payment Certificates; however, being much younger than the World War II through Vietnam generations, I have a different perspective.

I joined the USAF in 1999 and my first experience with military pay was when I was issued a $250 Visa Cash card. This card was given to everyone at basic military training at Lackland to cover initial expenses such as haircuts and buying toiletries.  It was a cash advance on your first month’s pay and had your name, social security number, and flight number on the card. The card had no magnetic strip on the back, but instead used a chip (this was the first time I remember seeing a card with a chip).  It came in a little folder which listed locations on base that accepted the card, how to use it, and the card agreement. If you spent your entire balance the cashier would keep your card and dispose of it. Being the collector that I was at the time, I decided to keep a small balance on my card so I could save it for posterity. I told my son to save his, so we have two generations of cards.

 

When people think about military numismatics, they often think about Allied Military Currency or Military Payment Certificates; however, being much younger than the World War II through Vietnam generations, I have a different perspective.

I joined the USAF in 1999 and my first experience with military pay was when I was issued a $250 Visa Cash card. This card was given to everyone at basic military training at Lackland to cover initial expenses such as haircuts and buying toiletries.  It was a cash advance on your first month’s pay and had your name, social security number, and flight number on the card. The card had no magnetic strip on the back, but instead used a chip (this was the first time I remember seeing a card with a chip).  It came in a little folder which listed locations on base that accepted the card, how to use it, and the card agreement. If you spent your entire balance the cashier would keep your card and dispose of it. Being the collector that I was at the time, I decided to keep a small balance on my card so I could save it for posterity. I told my son to save his, so we have two generations of cards.

 

What do you do when coinage is scarce? Improvise.

Here is a set of French Morocco small change notes. They include 50 centimes, 1 franc, and 2 francs. They are all dated 6 April 1944 and are made of cardboard.

Many paper money collectors are familiar with US Military Payment Certificates (MPC) which were used to pay GIs stationed overseas from 1946 through 1973 in order to prevent black marketing. Inevitably, although illegal, some MPC would find its way into the local economy and be used for black marketing of goods.

Some allied military members also used US MPC. From 1964 to 1973, South Korea sent a total of 350,000 troops to fight along side US and Republic of Vietnam forces. During this time, some South Korean troops would sell Post Exchange merchandise on the black market for MPC. They’d return to base and repeat the profitable cycle.

In 1969, a new control system was devised to prevent this; South Korean troops would be paid in US MPC and also receive the same amount in Korean MPC coupons. The Korean soldiers making purchases on post would be required to spend MPC as well as the same amount in Korean MPC coupons.  This quickly reduced the volume of black market trade.

There was a total of four series of Korean MPC coupons issued. This particular note is 5 cents from the 4th series. 

The front depicts Ch'oe Yŏng (최영) who lived from 1316–1388. He had numerous victories against Japanese pirates who were raiding the Korean coast. In 1352, he successfully put down a rebellion by Cho Il-sin. He later participated in the Red Turban Rebellions and eventually allied with the Ming Dynasty to overthrow the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. He was betrayed and executed by his former subordinate Yi Sŏng-gye, who founded the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, which brought an end to the Goryeo period. The South Korean ship ROKS Choi Young (DDH-981) was named in his honor.

The back of the note shows the steel industry of Korea.

Central Reserve Bank of China was essentially a Japanese puppet bank for central and southern China during World War II. 

In 1944, engraver Chung Kue-jen inserted a hidden propaganda message into the 200 yuan banknote. The message was USAC 1945 which meant “US Army Coming, 1945.”

For more interesting stories check out, "World War II Remembered; History in Your Hands - A Numismatic Study" by Schwan and Boling.

This is my favorite peso in my collection. I really love the old ANACS holder as well as the beautiful toning. The pictures don't do it justice.

One thing that I really appreciate about numismatics is the insight that money can give us about historical events and the impact they have. An interesting example is the Canadian 5 cent coin struck prior to and during World War II.

 

With the passing of King George V, the 5 cent coin was redesigned and in 1937, the new monarch, King George VI was depicted on the obverse and a beaver on a rock on the reverse. It was struck with the same metal (nickel) as it had been since 1922.

 

On September 10, 1939, Canada declared war on Germany. To conserve nickel which was vital to the war effort, part way through 1942, the composition of the 5 cent coin was changed to Tombac (88% copper and 12% zinc alloy) and the shape was changed from round to 12 sided. The 1942 Tombac beaver 5 cent coin is a one-year type. In 1943, the designed was changed to a V for victory with a torch as well as a Morse code message around the rim reading, “We win when we work willingly.” In 1944, the composition changed to chrome plated steel and remained this way through 1945. In 1946, the beaver and nickel returned to the Canadian 5 cent coin.

"This is a very interesting bond that was paid in 1936 to World War I veterans. These instruments were the culmination of a long struggle by many veterans to obtain payment of bonuses promised after the end of World War I. The "Bonus Army," whose march on Washington, DC ended in a contentious melee when regular army troops commanded by then Colonel Douglas MacArthur ousted the protesters from their Washington campground, had long agitated for these bonds to be issued, which they were after approval by Congress in 1936. These bonds were given upon application only to veterans of World War I in an amount based on length of service between specified dates. They were redeemable only by the veteran or his estate, with each bond containing space on the back for four fingerprints from the right hand of every applicant for payment, a feature we have seen on no other government obligation of any kind. The final maturity date was June 15, 1945, The bonds drew no interest unless held for at least one year. Likely because of their issuance during the depths of the Great Depression, and their many restrictions, most all of these bonds were speedily redeemed."

Source: Heritage Auctions Description

The top two pieces are Colonial Currency, which was issued by each of the original 13 colonies from 1690 until the ratification of the US Constitution. The top left piece is a Two Shillings & Six Pence note dated June 7^(th), 1776 from Connecticut. The top right piece is Twenty Shillings dated July 20^(th), 1775 from Pennsylvania.  

The bottom is Continental Currency, an $80 note dated 14^(th) January 1779. There were 11 resolutions passed by the Continental Congress authorizing these notes from May 10^(th), 1775 through January 14^(th), 1776. These notes bore no interest, were a promise to pay the bearer, and were redeemed with taxes levied by the individual colonies. Due to high inflation, the phrase “not worth a Continental” became common. This particular note is the highest denomination of Continental Currency issued.

Wartime often brings shortages of the things that we use every day and take for granted. Rationing is used to keep prices stable, prevent hoarding, and ensure a fairer distribution of goods. In World War II, the US formed the Office of Price Administration to handle this task.

“Red and blue fiber tokens were issued by the Office of Price Administration (OPA) during most of 1944. The red token was used to purchase meats, fats, fish, and cheese; the blue token was used for purchasing processed foods. The tokens are made of a vulcanized fiber with a yellow-orange middle layer as security against counterfeiting. They glow under ultraviolet light. The tokens were manufactured by Osborne Register Company, Cincinnati.”

“Each token was worth one ration point. This value and two control letters are stamped on both sides. The exact uses of these letters are somewhat in doubt and dispute, but they certainly were part of the security system.”

“The Society of Ration Token Collectors has done remarkable research on these tokens (and all other aspects of World War II rationing). Its book US Ration Currency and Tokens 1942-1945, edited by Joseph A. Lowande, is highly recommended.”

Source: World War II Remembered: History in Your Hands, a Numismatic Study by C. Frederick Schwan and Joseph E. Boling

Ration tokens were primarily used by individuals when purchasing goods while ration checks were used by wholesalers and retailers who dealt in large amounts of rationed good.

In addition to World War II Remembered: History in Your Hands, a Numismatic Study and US Ration Currency and Tokens 1942-1945, James Downey’s book, Pay to the Order of Victory; United States Checks in World War II is another fascinating read.

Many of you are probably familiar with Military Payment Certificates, but did you know that there were checks payable only in MPC?

Here's an example of one from the Bank of America Seoul Military Banking Facility.

For more information, look at pages 63 & 64 of The Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates by Fred Schwan and Larry Smulczenski. If you don't have a copy of this book in your library, get one; it's a must have!

I recently acquired this set of WWI British medals for my collection. From left to right they include: Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal, and King George VI Coronation Medal.

The back of the Military Cross is inscribed with the following: J. A. McGrath 2ond Lieut 9th Royal Dublin Fusiliers Ypres Aug 1917. The inscription was obviously done privately as Military Crosses were issued unnamed. The British War Medal and Victory Medal are both named to McGrath on their edges.

Also included is a photograph of McGrath from the Imperial War Museum as well as his citation from the Supplement to the London Gazette, 7 March 1918.

I was going through some banknotes and came across this short snorter from some Chinese aviation cadets at Thunderbird Field in Arizona.

The inscription that made me stop and do some research was:

"To Dear inatructor. from A/C Liang Yuan Kang in Thunderbird Field April 13-45"

Doing a little online searching, I learned about Thunderbird Field and its significance to the Allied war effort:

"In late 1940, a contingent of Hollywood actors and businessmen, headed by Leland Hayward and John Connelly, formed a corporation and approached the Army to establish a primary flight training school. The corporation was named Southwest Airways (no affiliation with Southwest Airlines). Hayward and Connelly chose a site near Phoenix, Arizona, primarily because of space, excellent weather, and visibility: all suitable for flight instruction. Construction of Thunderbird Field was started that same month and completed three months later. Flight instruction began in the Spring of 1941 and continued through the end of World War II. During operations more than more than 15,000 cadets were trained in primary flight instruction at Thunderbird Field No. 1. Cadets were from China, Great Britain, and Canada as well as the United States." Source: https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/197

The lighting in the photo makes the ink look new, but holding the note in my hand, I can tell you it's 81 years old.

Check out the Arizona Memory Project for more interesting information about Thunderbird Field.

I have a friend looking to sell this lot, but would like to know if these items are authentic and to get an idea of their value. I have more pictures available, but didn't want to upload too many.

Thanks for your help in advance.