Ration Tokens

Gift of Harriet Nelson 2003.456.102-.103

Rationing changed over time during the war since the first implentations in 1942. Initally stamps were exchanged for rationed items and no "change" was given in the form of ration points. However in 1944, the Office of Price Administration began to issue celluloid tokens which were used by retailers to give change back for items bought with ration stamps. Blue tokens were used for processed foods while red tokens were used for meats and fats.