Want real cash instead of Pogs?
Get an overnight military loan
at a special rate for Veterans.
www.DesertVet-Loans.com

Why does AAFES use pogs?
Due to military operations in foreign regions it must dedicate its shipments to necessary equipment, hardware and supplies. Metal coins weigh a lot more than these pogs. Both of these problems are solved by using paper currency in the place of metal coins.

In foreign operations, AAFES must rely on military finance for currency used in its store. The military will not provide coins in foreign theater operations due to the weight of the coins and other mission priorities. Thus, the only way to provide change was to develop POGS in 5, 10 and 25-cent denominations.

The paper discs are accepted in all AAFES Exchanges around the world. Since the release of pogs in 2001, each POG has been given a distinctive military image on at least one side. The paper discs have generally been well received and have even become collectors' items. A quick Internet search reveals that several Internet auction sites regularly put AAFES POGS up for bid.

Currently, there are seven series of AAFES pogs (five in print). The first was simply the specific denomination as the design. In 2002, AAFES began issuing pogs with illustrations on them, such as aircraft, rockets and service members in action. Pogs issued in 2003 have the year stamped on them, while those made in 2002 do not. Each denomination has 13 different designs.

Although POGS are used for 5, 10 and 25-cent denominations, it is not cost effective to produce penny POGS. As in Europe and the Pacific, where pennies are not available, AAFES (as mandated by the Army) applies a rounding policy. Once purchases are totaled, AAFES rounds up prices of 3 or 4 cents and rounds down 1 and 2 cent totals. For example, if a purchase is $9.23, the customer gets $9.25 in change. If the total is $9.22, the customer gets change for $9.20.

Although AAFES officials say they never intended for the pogs to become a collectors item, that is exactly what has happened. Servicemembers are saving the cardboard circles as souvenirs of their tours of duty or as additions to their personal collections of military memorabilia.