The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 13, March 26, 2006, Article 30

CURRENCY CONTROL COUPONS SOUGHT

Jim Downey authored a nice article in the March 20, 2006 MPC GRAM
(v7n1441) about currency control coupons used by U.S. troops in
Germany.

"Most MPC collectors are familiar with the currency control
coupons that were used by Thai and South Korean troops in Viet
Nam.  In addition to MPC, each soldier was also given coupons in
an amount equivalent to the amount of pay.  The coupons were
necessary for purchases at official establishments or exchange
into their own currency.  The purpose of the coupons was to limit
the amount of money that these people could spend or exchange.
Even if they participated in black market activities or other
unsanctioned activities, they would never be able to spend or
exchange more than their pay amounts because of the limitation
on the amount of coupons they possessed."

Downey's article notes a discovery of documentation stating
that the United States used currency control coupons in the US
Sector of Berlin in July 1946.

"At this time US personnel in Germany were paid in Allied Military
marks. The coupons were issued in books of 5, 10 and 20 dollars
by the finance office of each unit.  When an individual made a
purchase at an official establishment (PX, mess, snack bar, etc.),
the coupon book was presented along with the marks for the purchase.
The dollar equivalent of coupons was removed by the merchant from
the books to validate the marks used for the purchase."

Downey notes that collectors are unaware of the existence of any
US dollar currency control coupons for Germany.

"Where were they printed?  What did they look like?  Did they have
serial numbers?  What were the denominations?  Too many questions,
not enough information.

The answers to these questions might be found in the records at
the National Archives or other repository of information.  Hopefully,
some of the answers can be found in a scrapbook or dealer's junk box!"

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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