1951–1954 5 Cents–$1 Series 481 MPC 5-Note Set F-VF

Military Currency Issued During the Korean War

When the Korean People’s Army (KPA) crossed the 38th Parallel into South Korea on June 25, 1950, it signaled the start of the Korean War. The United States rushed to the aid of South Korea, but soon found its troops pushed back to the southeast corner of the peninsula in an area called the Pusan Perimeter. To raise the siege, American General Douglas MacArthur launched an amphibious landing at Incheon that enveloped North Korea’s army and pushed the surviving communists back towards the Yalu River, the border between North Korea and China.

Marching along with those American soldiers were Military Payment Certificates. “MPC Notes” were used by U.S. military personnel as a medium of exchange outside of the United States. With 2020 marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, we’ve assembled a collection of these MPC Notes that circulated during the bloody conflict.

These notes are from the Series 481 MPC notes that were issued from June of 1951 through May of 1954, meaning they circulated during the Korean War. This five-piece set consists of 5-cent, 10-cent, 25-cent, 50-cent and $1 notes. Each note features intricate engravings and an important disclaimer that reads, “For use only in United States military establishments by United States authorized personnel in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.” Each also comes Fine to Very Fine (F-VF) condition.

Often called “America’s Forgotten War,” the Korean War was fought from 1950-1953 and claimed the lives of more than 35,000 American military personnel. Now you can honor and remember the sacrifices made by our brave G.I.s during that savage war with this vintage set of MPC notes.

Could these notes have been in the rucksacks carried on the backs of American troops in places like Pusan, Seoul, Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir? Who knows, but now they can rest safely in your collection as a testament to the courage and determination of America’s Armed Forces.