8. Later on, and under different circumstances, in 1945 the US Treasury turned over Occupation Currency plates to the Russians so that they could print Allied military marks and pay their troops. Because US military authorities permitted GIs to convert military marks into American dollars, the Treasury was out some $530,000,000. Take for instance the events of July, 1945, when Americans in the Berlin sector drew $1,000,000 in pay, but managed to make $3,000,000. This is because Russian troops, who were told that their occupation marks would not be convertible into rubles, bought GI wristbands and other luxury goods for up to $1,000 each, cartons of cigarettes were going for $150 a pop.