Paper coupons that made life work

Old-time ration coupons are now on show at the Cai Guanshen Humanities Building of Fudan University.

The items in the exhibition are supplied by many collectors around the country, covering the period from the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to 1993.

It is one of the highest-level exhibitions of its genre, and several exhibits are valuable cultural relics.

Such coupons were common currency in a different place and a different time; Chinese coupons probably were once the most numerous in the world.

The cities, counties, small villages and even the large-scale enterprises such as mines, distributed all kinds of coupons to ration products in times of short supply.

Especially during the 40 years from 1953 to 1993, residents of China needed to use a coupon for most purchases - even a box of matches couldn't be bought without one.

"The coupons are most memorable for the Chinese, especially those who went through that tough period," says Shi Yanqiang, president of Shanghai Coupons Association.

A complete collection of textile coupons for foreigners during the 1950s is a highlight of the exhibition. According to statistics from 1954, the introduction to the exhibition says, there were only some 2,980 foreigners in Shanghai during the period, and policies for use of coupons were extremely strict.

The coupons, with unique patterns and symbols, comprise a historical record of many lifestyles from different eras, detailing consumption, culture and entertainment habits.

lixinzhu@chinadaily.com.cn