Lot x 3 US Military Token - 1964 Saigon 5c Coin - Military Payment - Vietnam War Miltaria

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military introduced Military Payment Certificates (MPCs) to control the circulation of U.S. currency among its personnel stationed overseas. 

These certificates, issued between 1946 and 1973, aimed to prevent black-market activities and currency arbitrage by restricting the use of U.S. dollars in foreign economies. 

MPCs were issued in various series, with notable ones used in Vietnam, such as Series 641 (1965-1968), Series 661 (1968-1969), and Series 681 (1969-1970), the latter being exclusive to Vietnam.

In addition to MPCs, the U.S. military also utilized tokens in denominations, 5 cents, 10 cents, and 25 cents (and in rares case, 50c, $1 and $5). These tokens were used for transactions within military bases, including clubs, mess halls, and game machines, allowing for a controlled and cashless economy within U.S. installations. 

However, concerns arose over the counterfeiting of these tokens and their potential entry into the South Vietnamese economy, which could destabilize the local currency.

To address this, in 1964, the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) Vietnam and the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) issued a directive mandating that all military tokens bear a "SEGA" marking. 

SEGA, the well-known Japanese gaming company, was already involved in manufacturing arcade game tokens and had the necessary facilities for token production. This collaboration ensured that the military tokens had a distinct and secure marking, making counterfeiting more difficult and preventing their unauthorized use outside U.S. bases.

MACV-SOG, a highly classified special operations group established in 1964, played a crucial role in ensuring economic and operational security in Vietnam. The implementation of the SEGA marking on military tokens reflects the broader efforts by U.S. forces to maintain control over financial transactions and limit illicit activities during the conflict.

This measure allowed the U.S. military to leverage existing commercial expertise - SEGA’s token production capabilities—to enhance security and prevent economic disruption in South Vietnam.