Military related numismatic items and militaria collectables in general have always been of interest to me. When I was becoming a teenager back in 1960 there were a few school buddies collecting German and Japanese war souvenirs which were rather plentiful in Western New York.

 Looking through a recent price list from Norman G. Peters of Lackawana, N. Y. one particular item caught my eye. A large 72 mm bronze medal struck for the Curtiss Wright Corporation - Airplane Division - Buffalo, N. Y. commemorating their Army-Navy Efficiency Award on August 20, 1942. Peters being another old friend was called right away and he still had this medal in stock. My quick check for $29.50 was mailed that day and two days later this beauty was on my desk.

The obverse has either a P-36 Hawk or P-40 War Hawk above the Army - Navy Efficiency Award flag while below is a C-46 Commando cargo plane. Of course the P-40 War Hawk is the one of the more famous aircraft of W W II as they were flown by the Flying Tigers in the China-Burma-India theatre. Curtiss Wright produced 13,738 War Hawks up through December 1944 and these were flown by air forces in 28 different nations.

The reverse has the inscription: " PRESENTED IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE EARNINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AWARD/ logo/ corporate name and address.

Peters lists are rather interesting reading as all sorts of exonumia are included along with a few coins, banknotes, checks, receipts, medals, and who knows "whatchamaycallthems". He is the "king of the hill" in this area on numismatics and can be contacted at P.O. Box 29, Lancaster, New York 14086-0029.