Aim High With Military Payment Certificates

While there has been a predecessor to the United States Air Force in a wide variety of forms and monikers since 1907, the creation of an independent branch of the military to focus on air-power did not occur for some time. The official formation of the United States Air Force was a result of the National Security Act of 1947 and the subsequent swearing in of the first Secretary of the Air Force, W. Stuart Symington, on September 18th, 1947. In recognition of this occasion, I would like to spotlight a pair of Military Payment Certificates that feature iconic imagery of the US Air Force.

$1 Military Payment Certificate, Series 681, S915 front, PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click image to enlarge.

The $1 Military Payment Certificate from Series 681 (S915) is about as pure Air Force that a piece of paper money could be. The note features a portrait of an Air Force pilot on the front and a vignette of four F-100 Super Sabres from the Air Force's demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, on the back.

$1 Military Payment Certificate, Series 681, S915 back, PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click image to enlarge.

The $20 Military Payment Certificate from Series 681 (S918) also pays homage to the Air Force by featuring one of the most long-lived and recognizable air frames in service. The B-52 Stratofortress has been actively used by the US Air Force and is planned to be kept in service into the 2040s.

$20 Military Payment Certificate, Series 681, S918 back, PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click image to enlarge.

As many will celebrate the 68th Anniversary of the formal creation of the US Air Force this month, those who are passionate about numismatics can also celebrate this important moment in the rich history of the US Air Force. By examining such treasures as the $1 and $20 Military Payment Certificates from Series 681, we can interact with that history.

PMG is an independent member of the Certified Collectibles Group (CCG).