Coupon Booklet
We have come across several of these coupon books in the collection, but the records would benefit from some additional information. This coupon book was issued to F. C. Bitter in November of 1943.
This coupon book has a $5.00 value. Were there booklets with less or more value? Was $5.00 a common value for a coupon booklet?
What would one buy with these coupons? The back of the booklet (right) reads “for the purpose of supplies at Panama Railroad Commissaries.” Can anyone give us more specific information about these commissaries?
Did you, your parents or grandparents ever have coupons like these?
If you have any knowledge of these coupon booklets, please share with us in the comments section!
4 Comments
Russell E. Favorite
I remember what you refer to as a coupon book. We called them commissary books. They as i recall came in $2,50, $5.00,$10.00, 15.00, 20.00. These were issued to all Panama Canal, Employees, to be used for purchases of goods and services within the Panama Canal Zone. This included all retail establishments, such as Commissaries,Gas stations, Bowling Alleys, Movie Theaters,act. Any thing that you had to pay for. You were not allowed to use Money to pay for anything. The reason for this was to help enforce Treaty obligations with Panama, in protecting their Economy. No one who was not a Panama Canal Employee and resident could not obtain these Commissary Books. Employees had to buy the books and they were issued by the Payroll office and could be purchased at the Commissary Store , with proper Identification. Each coupon was worth .01 cent. This was still in effect in the early 1950,s and I believe until 1955. I remember my Mother giving me a $2,50 book with some value still in so I could buy a ice creme soda at the Balboa Bowling Alley.
Carroll Adams Werling
Russell was right on target. They were called commissory books and we bought everything in the Zone with them. I know they were used thru 1955 because that was the year I graduated from BHS. My Dad retired that same year. Mom saved some that I discovoered when I was going thru her trunks after she died last year. She would always give me some with .15 or .20 ents left in them for cherry cokes with my friends at the clubhouse.
Carroll Adams Werling
Winters O. Hope
Russell and Carroll know what they are talking about. And, Carroll, we did get the “dregs” of the Commy books, but those miniscule amounts by our standards today were a lot to us back then.
Winters O. “Butch” Hope, BHS ’55
Robert Dixon Gordon
After the closing out of the former Canal Zone, there are no more Butter Brickle ice cream, no where. How painful. Robert Dixon.