Leonard Buckley, designer of military payment certificates (MPC) and fine artist will make the key note presentation at MPCFest XX/ZFest II on April 10 via Zoom.

Buckley is best known among MPC collectors as the designer of MPC Series 692 which is also widely recognized as the most beautiful series of MPC. Because of the extraordinary designs Series 692 is also of interest to many collectors who are not MPC specialists.

Len's artistic career as a designer was focused on literally making money. Out of high school, he began a seven year apprenticeship in New York, training in the art of steel die and intaglio plate making used to print world-wide currencies, postage stamps and financial securities.

With a total of ten years experience, he moved on in 1967 to Washington DC. There he worked at the U.S. Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing as a bank note designer. After six years, he went on to become the supervisor of the bank note design staff. In his 32 years with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, he was responsible for the designs of many postage stamps, currency, military payment certificates and security documents for the federal government.

In his personal studio, he kept his artistic hand active, designing and illustrating for stamp and medallion collectibles. His renderings and paintings hang in private collections, some having been donated to the Smithsonian Institution's collection in Washington, D.C.

Since retirement from federal service, Len designed and rendered the Colorado State Quarter as part of the Artistic Infusion Program with the United States Mint. He stays active in the Baltimore Watercolor Society, the Washington Calligrapher's Guild, the Hanover Area Arts Guild and the Adams Count Arts Council, wonderful outlets for his watercolor and oil paintings and pencil renderings.

Buckley's presentation at MPCFest will be at 1:30 PM (Festers 1330 hours) on April 10 via Zoom. If you are interested in attending the Fest, send your email request to the Fest registrar John Phipps at phippsjo2002@yahoo.com.

The MPCFest 2021 challenge coins continue the design and theme introduced in 2019. The obverse portrait features an artists rendition of the figure from the face of MPC Series 541 $5 certificates.

The theme was carried forward to 2020 when MPCFest 2020 was replaced with a Zoom Fest. The situation is repeated this year. Just as last year the Fest challenge coins will be available by preorder. A set consist of a .999 fine silver piece, a silver plated piece, and a bronze piece. Sets of three coins are available at $85 ($90 PayPal). Send your reservation to fredschwan@yahool.com and your payment by check (preferred, made out to Fred Schwan) to 132 E. Second St, Port Clinton, OH 43452. Additional bronze pieces may be ordered at $6 each. Coin will be shipped shortly after Fest 2021. Make your reservation not to guarantee your set.

Training is the mission of MPCFest. Each year collectors present information on military numismatic themes to the assembled throng.

Presentations can be on any of a wide range of topics under the umbrella of military numismatics. Presentations are as varied in their style as they are in subject matter. Some are only a few minutes while others are longer. Ray and Steve Feller are the Fest training officers. If you would like to make a presentation and Fest 2021, write to ray.feller@gmail.com Space is limited write now.

For details watch your MPCGram. For questions contact Fred Schwan at fredschwan@yahool.com. Attendance and participation are free thanks to the support of our Fest sponsors: Joe and Louise Boling, Steve and Ray Feller, Dave Frank, Al Glaser, Dave Hunsicker, Brett Irick, Harold Kroll, Bill Myers, David Seelye and Warner Talso.