BOOK REVIEW: VIETNAM MILITARY TOKENS AND CHITS

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V19 2016 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 19, Number 48, November 27, 2016, Article 5

On November 23, 2016 Ray Bows published a review of Garry Arva's "A Comprehensive Listing of Vietnam Military Tokens and Chits" (Disc Format) in the MPC Gram, an electronic publication for collectors of Military Payment Certificates and other military money. With permission, it is republished here. -Editor

Diligence, perseverance and attention to detail were some of the watch-words emphasized to servicemen 50 years ago in Vietnam. Vietnam veteran and retired First Sergeant Garry Arva has carried those concepts forward to the present with his meticulous work "A Comprehensive Listing of Vietnam Military Tokens and Chits," with his resolve and determination to share his incredible collection of Vietnam military numismatics with his fellow collectors, historians and other interested parties.

For many years, Garry has been a primary force in searching out and obtaining slot machine tokens (slugs), paper and metal credit checks (chits and tokens), and wooden nickels and related items used as legitimate money by enlisted and officers clubs as a means to regulate, control, and protect MPC in Vietnam.

The hundreds upon hundreds of tokens and chits that Garry has photographed bring into perspective the fact that these pieces of exonumia were never intended to be collected, but are indeed military necessity pieces of the highest order, yet his filing system is extraordinary.

Anyone with even the slightest interest in collecting military monies, from whatever period, will become enthralled with this magnificent labor of love and devotion in Garry Arva's chosen field. It is apparent that Arva is proud of his collection, as well he should be, and his selfless willingness to share all the pieces that he has acquired with others is both commendable and an important milestone in the history of this fascinating area of Vietnam history.

My wife and I were mesmerized as we scrolled down through what seemed to be an never ending photographic essay of listings. With each purchase of an Arva disc, collectors will feel as though Arva's collection now belongs to them as well. Having the disc is as exciting as owning the collection itself.

The disc is normally $25.00, but can be purchased by MPC grammers for $20.00 from Garry Arva, PO Box 2481, Clarksville, Tennessee 37042. If you have any questions please contact Garry at militarychits@hotmail.com.

Garry will extend the postpaid $20 offer to readers of The E-Sylum as well. He also provided the images. Thanks! -Editor

My listing has about 1650 Vietnam Military tokens, 1350 chits, 350 chit book covers and a few other things from Military Clubs in Vietnam. All items have a scanned image.

For more information about the MPC Gram, or to subscribe, see:
MPCGram@yahoo.com