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5 Cents Pusan; NCO Open Mess
| Issuer | U.S. Army Pusan NCO Open Mess |
|---|---|
| Year | 1950-1955 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Paper (tan) |
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| Obverse description | Tan paper with black letterpress text arranged in a central panel; a solid black rectangular block at right bears the bold numeral '5' above 'CENTS' in white. Red serial number printed diagonally across the lower centre. A perforated tab at left carries the void clause 'NOT GOOD IF DETACHED'. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | U.S. ARMY PUSAN N.C.O. OPEN MESS A.P.O. 96259 NOT GOOD IF DETACHED 5 CENTS |
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| Comments |
Pusan NCO Open Mess scrip circulated during the Korean War period, when the U.S. military issued closed-loop currency at post facilities to prevent American dollars from leaking into the Korean black market — a serious problem throughout the conflict. These mess tokens were not legal tender outside the facility and carried no exchange guarantee, which is precisely why so few were preserved by the men who used them.
Pusan, as the primary port of entry and rear-area logistics hub, supported a substantial permanent garrison separate from frontline rotations, giving this scrip an unusually long potential service window.