A few words about Military Payment
Certificates (MPCs) on this 15th Anniversary of 9-11
Today we honor all those who have served
and all those who continue to keep our nation and our communities safe
Military Payment Certificates, also
known as MPCs, are
paper money in cent denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 and dollar denominations
of 1, 5, 10, and 20. The MPC program was at its peak during the Vietnam War.
Here is
a picture of one of my favorites
As a major world power, the
United States military devised the MPC program immediately following World War II.
In post war Europe, US dollars became very valuable due to the high inflation
rates of local currencies. Hence, US servicemen stationed overseas could
purchase very high value items for relatively small numbers of US dollars.
To
overcome this problem and help stabilize foreign economies, MPCs were developed
and used from the time immediately following World War II until about the end
of the Vietnam War (1946-1973).
In the
opinion of many military veterans and collectors like me, MPCs include some of
the most beautiful currency notes the US has ever printed. I
look at these currency notes and see not only the financial impact they made for
me while I served overseas in the US Navy, but the military, political and
social environments surrounding them.
I think that
these beautifully engraved Military Payment Certificates are some of most
artistic pieces of currency ever made.
So on
this historically significant day commemorating all the heroes of 9-11, we wish
you God’s Speed and a peaceful, prosperous future.
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