The Short Snorter Project



What is a Short Snorter?



Short snorters come to light at coins shops and coin shows where most dealers pay very

little for them as they are heavily worn and "not very collectible". A short snorter signed by

a famous person will add value to the bank note. Short snorters frequently sell on eBay

and at other auction venues. Click here to check current eBay short snorter listing s...

Depending upon your perspective, short snorters are next to worthless or simply priceless.

Whatever you decide, short snorters are truly "history in your hand."



Short snorter signed by WWII Marine Corps fighter ace and Congressional Medal of

Honor recipient Joe Foss . 1935A HAWAII Silver Certificate. (Courtesy of George J. Grimm)



Presidents to Privates and Prime Ministers to Pilots...



Many People Have Asked, "What is a Short Snorter Worth?"



.... and a President's Wife Played the Game Very Well!



The Eleanor Roosevelt Short Snorter

Eleanor Roosevelt carried this short snorter on her trips during World War II.

These bills were in the wallet she used during the last years of her life.

(Photo courtesy of T he Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum .)



Coca-Cola ad published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, June, 1944.

The fine print reads, "When short-snorters (trans-ocean flyers) meet and compare their

autographed dollar bills, the invitation Have a "Coke" is fairly sure to follow. In three short

words people strike the spark of comradeship. From the family fireside to far-flung fronts,

Coca-Cola stands for the pause that refreshes - has become a symbol of those who see

things in a friendly light." (Copyright 1943, The Coca-Cola Company)



A group of service men and women hold up a long short snorter for the camera.

(Photo courtesy of T he Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum .)



A Collection of Short Snorter Articles Written by Dr. Kerry Rodgers



What About Non-Currency Short Snorters for Special Events?



Click on a cover below to download and read a great article about short snorters!



Sponsor Links



A short snorter is a banknote which was signed by various persons traveling together or

meeting up at different events and records who was met. The tradition was started by bush

pilots in Alaska in the 1920's and subsequently spread through the growth of military and

commercial aviation. If you signed a short snorter and that person could not produce it upon

request, they owed you a dollar or a drink (a “short snort”, aviation and alcohol do not mix!).



FEATURED

SNORTERS



A 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Contributions are tax deductible! Click here for more information.



Did You See the May 2009 Issue of The Numismatist?



Reproduced courtesy of The Numismatist, official publication of the

American Numismatic Association (www.money.org)



Support The Short Snorter Project



The Short Snorter Project is a tax exempt organization under section 501

(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Short Snorter Project is classified

as a public charity. Contributions to The Short Snorter Project are tax

deductible. Click here to view more information and how you can support!



This photo was sent in by James Thoren, B-25 pilot in the 38th Bomb Group . The explanation

was sent in by Orland Gage of the same group.

"Photo 38030 shows Bob Lamb and Bob Schelin with the short snorter. Bob Schelin

is deceased. They both were part of the crew of Lt. Richard Coyne of the 823rd

squadron. The crew was composed of Lt. Coyne , Pilot; Lt. Joseph Papaich, Co-pilot

(killed at Balikpapen); S/Sgt Rollie Heskett, Engineer/Gunner (also killed at Balikpapen);

Lt. Robert Lamb, Navigator; Robert Schelin, Radio Operator (deceased in 1986); and

myself, Orland Gage, the Armorer/Tail Gunner."

Click here to see another short snorter from the 405th Bomb Squadron (38th Bomb Group)!



Modern Commemorative Short Snorters for Special Events



Arthur B. Unruh 50 Missions/53rd Mission in a B-17 May 21, 2009

Arthur B. "Art" Unruh flew 50 combat missions as a B-17 Waist Gunner during WWII in the

15th Air Force, 301st Bomb Group, 32nd Bomb Squadron. Art wrote about his post-war 51st

and 52nd "missions" in his book Shadow Casters . He took his 53rd B-17 ride on Father's Day,

May 21, 2009. 192 snorters were printed to commemorate Art Unruh and this event.



Arthur B. Unruh Silver Star/54th Mission in a B-17 August 17, 2009

Arthur B. "Art" Unruh was awarded the Silver Star on August 24, 1944. This snorter

commemorates the 65th Anniversary of 15th AF General Order #2816 (08/24/1944)

Silver Star received for actions on Mission to Weiner Neudorf, Austria, 26 July, 1944.

Art also took his 54th B-17 ride on August 17, 2009, during the visit of "SENTIMENTAL

JOURNEY" to the Flying Heritage Collection. 225 snorters printed to commemorate this event.



WINNER - 2009

NUMISMATIC

LITERARY GUILD

BEST ARTICLE



Vintage Commemorative Non-Currency Short Snorters, printed to honor special milestones

or events during and shortly after World War 2, have provided the inspiration for the creation

of modern commemorative short snorters to honor individuals or events associated with

short snorters. Those created so far are shown below. If you have any ideas, send them in!



Flying Heritage Collection Welcomes 88mm Flak 37 September 19, 2009

The front of this commemorative short snorter is an image of the B-17 "BOOGIE WOOGIE"

near an 88mm anti-aircraft shell explosion. The caption reads, "Anti-Aircraft Fire... The

Scourge of the Allied Armies!" The back of this snorter is an image of a German 88mm

Flak 37 anti-aircraft gun in a foreboding pose facing ominous clouds. The Flying Heritage

Collection put a similar artifact on public display on September 19, 2009.

150 snorters printed to commemorate this event.



Captain Phil Harris - Cornelia Marie - Deadliest Catch - Short Snorter



Historic Flight B-25D Mitchell/68th Anniversary of Doolittle's Tokyo Raid

The front of this commemorative short snorter is an image of the B-25D "GRUMPY" which

belongs to Historic Flight at KILO-6 . The back of this snorter is an image of the B-25s formed

up on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and preparing to raid Tokyo under the command of

Jimmy Doolittle on April 18, 1942. This year marks the 68th Anniversary of that heroic event.

400 snorters printed to commemorate this event.



Operations Iraqi & Enduring Freedom Short Snorters

USO - David Cook Short Snorter



Ricky Lobo, a retired US Army service member, sent in some

"updated" short snorters reflecting Operations Enduring & Iraqi

Freedom. One of those was signed by David Cook of American Idol

fame. Check out his other snorters... (and thank a vet today!!!)



David Cook's

autographed USO Card

