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25 Cents Pusan; NCO Open Mess
| Issuer | U.S. Army Pusan NCO Open Mess |
|---|---|
| Year | 1950-1955 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Shape | Rectangular |
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| Obverse description | Orange card stock with black letterpress text arranged in a bordered central panel at left and a bold denomination block at right. A red serial number is printed across the lower central area, with a row of cancellation punch holes adjacent. The warning notice "NOT GOOD IF DETACHED" appears in small italic type at lower left. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | U.S. ARMY PUSAN N.C.O. OPEN MESS A.P.O. 96259 NOT GOOD IF DETACHED 25 CENTS |
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| Comments |
U.S. military mess tokens and scrip circulated widely in Korea during and after the war, largely to prevent American currency from bleeding into the local economy and fueling black markets. The NCO Open Mess at Pusan operated as a major rear-area installation — Pusan being the principal port of entry and logistical hub for UN forces throughout the conflict. These small-denomination mess scrip pieces were issued by the club itself rather than by any military finance authority, meaning they had no standing outside the issuing establishment.
The perforation serves as a cancellation or control feature, common in privately issued club scrip of this period to prevent reuse or accumulation beyond authorized limits.