Collection › United States › #602
5 cents Military Payment Certificate (MPC)
P-M8
Needs review
✦ AI 88%
The AI flagged these for your attention. Use ✦ Fact-check to cross-check factual fields against another model's world-knowledge, or 🔍 Re-look at image when you suspect the AI misread the pixels.
-
Some fields the AI was unsure about — please verify:
- Series year: “—” (0%)
- Issue year: “—” (0%)
- Dimensions (mm): “—” (0%)
- Serial number: “—” (0%)
Click ✦ Ask AI to verify or fix any below. -
The photo is blurry.Mark Retake — re-photograph in better focus.
-
Lighting is too dim for confident reading.Mark Retake — re-photograph with more light.
-
Overall AI confidence is 88% (auto-approve threshold is 92%).Skim the Identity tab; the dots next to each field show what the AI was unsure about.
IMG_7401.HEIC
cropped
IMG_7402.HEIC
cropped
Where & when
What's on the note
Front: Allegorical female figure representing Liberty, a classical motif used on U.S. military payment certificates. The design features ornate scrollwork and the text 'MILITARY PAYMENT CERTIFICATE' with denomination '5 CENTS' prominently displayed. The note states 'FOR USE ONLY IN UNITED STATES MILITARY ESTABLISHMENTS — BY UNITED STATES AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE RULES AND REGULATIONS.' Military Payment Certificates were special currency issued to U.S. military personnel in foreign countries to prevent black market trafficking of U.S. dollars and to control currency exchange in occupied territories and military bases.
Back: The reverse features an overprint reading 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / OFFICE OF PRICE ADMINISTRATION / RATION COUPON / FOR TWENTY POINTS / PROCESSED FOODS' with 'OPA Form R-1325' and 'GPO 16-34717-1' reference numbers. This represents a World War II-era ration coupon design incorporated into the MPC backing, referencing the wartime rationing system administered by the Office of Price Administration (1942–1947). The OPA managed civilian rationing of food and consumer goods during WWII, and processed foods required point-based ration stamps for purchase.
How it was made
Security features: microprint,intaglio
United States in North America
United States in North America. Other countries on the same continent shown in muted grey.
Background & history
This is a Series 472 Military Payment Certificate (MPC), issued from 1951 to 1954 for use by U.S. military personnel in post-WWII occupied territories and military installations overseas. MPCs were designed to prevent black market currency trading and control monetary circulation in military zones. Series 472 was the first MPC series issued after World War II ended, reflecting the ongoing U.S. military presence in occupied Japan, Germany, and Korea during the early Cold War period. The unusual reverse featuring an OPA ration coupon design is a distinctive characteristic of early MPC series, repurposing wartime administrative forms. MPCs were periodically recalled and replaced without warning (called 'C-Day' or 'Conversion Day') to prevent hoarding and black market abuse. Series 472 was replaced by Series 481 in 1954. The note is printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The 5-cent denomination represents the smallest value in this series.
Collector references
How it came to me
Heavily circulated with significant wear, creasing, and edge damage. Discoloration and staining visible throughout. Design remains legible.
What it's worth now
Valuation history (1)
| date | low | high | currency | source | note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-10 07:33:50 | 10.0 | 30.0 | USD | ai | from claude-sonnet-4-5 |
History & extractions
AI extractions (1)
Edits & decisions (0)
No edits yet.
Manual fixups
Find near-duplicates
Manual pairing override
Edit specimen #602
All fields below post to the same save endpoint. Sections collapse to focus on what you need.
Re-crop manually
Drag the four corners to mark the banknote in each image. Click Save crop to apply.