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Flashier POGs on their way overseas

The newest edition of POGs being used in Iraq and Afghanistan offer “moving glimpses into patriotism,” as Army and Air Force Exchange Service put it, in more ways than one.

About 431,000 of this 10th POG series are “lenticular images,” which means the POGs look like they’re in motion when viewed at an angle.

For example, one of the 25-cent POG denominations features twin beams of light that seem to rise from the World Trade Center site. Patrolling troops appear to advance closer as you move the 10-cent POG to three different angles. The other lenticular design features a B-2 Bomber that seems to swoop under the St. Louis arch, coming closer with each angle.

The POGs are flat discs that have been used as change in exchange stores in contingency areas since 2001, because of the expense of transporting heavy coins into a war zone.

“Anyone who has seen any of the preceding nine POG series knows that many of the patriotic images featured can amuse, inspire and even provoke thought,” said AAFES Chief Marketing Officer Richard Sheff. “I think the new lenticulars take that emotional connection up a notch as subtle movements create powerful, dramatic and eye-catching imagery.”

The other 10.4 million POGs in this printing feature single images, in 35 additional designs. About one-third of the new series are already in circulation, according to AAFES spokesman Judd Anstey. The rest will be shipped over as needed. Anstey said the lenticulars cost the same to produce as the single-image discs.

The POGs, which come in 5-cent, 10-cent, and 25-cent denominations, are called gift certificates because they are not official U.S.-minted legal tender. They can be used in any AAFES exchange worldwide.