H74.264.96

Jar. Description: a-b: One jar of OPA red point coins (these were received, i.e. in exchange for coupon or rendered fat. From the History Information Station: Object: Jar full of cardboard red points, issued by the Office of Price Administration. History: During the war, rationed food could be purchased using points, instead of money. Red points were for red meat and dairy products, and blue points were for canned foods. Points were given for contributing to conservation and recycling of food and other needed resources. For instance, a housewife could save her bacon fat in a coffee can, and exchange the one pound can at the butcher store for two red points. Then, for five, ten, or fifteen red points she could buy a roast or a steak. The number of points needed to buy a roast went up as the beef supply went down, and went down again when more beef became available. Gift of Loyd Sigman