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| Grain coupons collected by Wuxi native Zhu Zhonghua. [Photo/zgjssw.gov.cn] |
It is hard for modern people to imagine how Chinese people used to buy food with grain coupons in the old days. However, they can still get a glimpse of those days with the grain coupons collected by Zhu Zhonghua.
Grain coupons were a substitute for cash that could be used to buy certain foods on the Chinese mainland from the 1950s to 1993. China suffered from material shortage when it was newly founded and thus most of necessities had to be distributed and supplied with the release of coupons for grain, cloth, cooking oil, etc.
Zhu's grain coupons can be regarded a record of the past days. He collected 176 grain coupons released by different cities and counties in Jiangsu. The province released a great number of grain coupons and approximately 10,000 kinds have been found. The coupons boast local characteristics as the images of landmark buildings and scenic spots were printed on them.
With their exquisite design and unique historical value, grain coupons are popular with collectors. Zhu has been engaging in the collection for more than 40 years and has collected the grain coupons that were released in most of the country.
In addition to grain coupons, Zhu also collected the coupons for coal, vinegar, soy sauce, salt, tea, bean products, furniture and other life necessities. "In those days, coupons were indispensable to buy things. It may seem rather strange for modern people," said Zhu.
