From: Arthur D. Jacobs (adjacobs@NETZONE.COM)
Date: Tue Jan 25 2000 - 02:32:22 PST
Hi Barbara: Appears to be "internment" money... used by internees and/or Prisoners of War. I have a few of those, but I cannot remember where I have placed them, so at the moment I cannot confirm. OPA is the acronym for Office of Price Administration... And I too was a child who grew up in Brooklyn all of those things and more were rationed. And Lucky Strike (cigarettes) Green (the color of the package) went to war and thus the package became white. And you mother is correct-- ration coupons were used for the items mentioned...shoes too were rationed. I will begin to look for my "cardboard" script and let you know what is stamped on them.. They are in such a secure place, Ican't remember just now. I do know this... they did use the type of "coins" you described in Civilian internment camps, I just don't remember the marking OPA on the ones I have. Art Barbara Appaloosa wrote: > Hello, > > At a flea market sale, I bought a couple red tokens which were > used during World War II. I asked my mother how they were used, > but she could only remember that they were worth one-tenth of a > US penny. She talked about rationing, but did not remember how > they were used. She was a child growing up in New York State > at the time. She said that sugar, gasoline, and cigarettes were > rationed but she thought that coupons where issued for these > things. > > The tokens are about the size of a US dime and appear to be made > out of card board. They are a rusty reddish color and have "OPA" > and "Red Point" written on them. They also have a large number 1 > in the center. > > Can anyone tell me how they were used during the 40's? Were > they related to the War time efforts? > > Thank you to anyone who can enlighten me. > > Barb