{"product_id":"shanghai-municipality-food-stamp-banknote-pair","title":"Shanghai Municipality Food Stamp Banknote Pair","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating piece of economic and social history from the People’s Republic of China, this pair of Shanghai Municipality food stamps (also known as ration coupons) from 1972 is offered together as a collectible set. Both notes are available in Almost Uncirculated (AUNC) condition, making this bundle especially attractive to collectors of exonumia, Chinese history, and paper money ephemera.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📦 Included Banknotes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 Shi Liang 1972\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2 Shi Liang 1972\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🧾 What These Notes Are\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring much of the 1950s–1980s in China, many essential goods such as grain, flour, oil, and cloth were distributed through state rationing systems. Citizens were issued coupons like these that were required to purchase foodstuffs in addition to using currency. Without the appropriate stamps, people couldn’t legally buy rationed items, this made food stamps a necessary part of daily life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough sometimes casually referred to as “food stamps,” these items are technically ration coupons (粮票), a type of exonumia rather than legal tender, and they offer a vivid window into China’s planned economy era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🔎 Design \u0026amp; Historical Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🛠 Obverse: Both notes are printed in Chinese (simplified) characters with the denomination and issuing authority clearly stated. The text identifies them as Shanghai Municipality food stamps for the specified Shi Liang value.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📜 Reverse: The back of each note carries instructions for use in Chinese, explaining that the coupon could be redeemed for grain or grain products within Shanghai, could not be bought or sold, and was invalid if altered or lost. This provides insight into the controlled nature of distribution at the time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🏙️ Cultural Significance: Food coupons like these were ubiquitous in daily life across China before the market reforms of the 1980s–1990s, and many collectors value them for their sociopolitical context as well as their graphic design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📌 Collectible Appeal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✨ Historical Context: Ration coupons vividly illustrate China’s economic policies during the pre-reform era, a fascinating subject for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts of communist and Cold War-era economies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📏 Condition Matters: These food stamps are offered in Almost Uncirculated (AUNC) condition, meaning they show minimal signs of handling and retain strong visual appeal, a significant bonus when compared to commonly circulated examples.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd this Shanghai 1972 Food Stamp Pair to your collection for a unique slice of Chinese economic history, capturing a moment when everyday citizens relied on coupons like these to secure their daily grain supply.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1718\" data-start=\"1715\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"1870\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1834\" data-end=\"1870\"\u003eReturns \u0026amp; Guarantee\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1870\" data-start=\"1834\"\u003eDisclaimer\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll sales, returns, and guarantees for this item are governed strictly by our Terms of Service. Please review the full policy \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/extremebanknotes.com\/policies\/terms-of-service\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebefore purchasing. By purchasing, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1718\" data-start=\"1715\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1639\" data-start=\"1321\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1672\" data-start=\"1643\"\u003eSerial Number Disclaimer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1639\" data-start=\"1321\"\u003eActual serial numbers on banknotes vary from piece to piece. The serial shown in product photos may not match the banknote you receive, but all items are guaranteed authentic and graded as described.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1718\" data-start=\"1715\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContact us\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeel free to reach out to us if You're searching for a specific banknote to add to Your collection or if You have any questions about our products, services, or a previous order - we are here to assist You!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Extreme Banknotes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55332384145742,"sku":null,"price":800.0,"currency_code":"HUF","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/8647\/3806\/files\/Food_Stamp_Bundle.png?v=1770907601","url":"https:\/\/extremebanknotes.com\/products\/shanghai-municipality-food-stamp-banknote-pair","provider":"Extreme Banknotes","version":"1.0","type":"link"}