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1 Cent - Pearson's Market Washington D.C.
| Issuer | Pearson's Market |
|---|---|
| Year | |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Paper |
| Size | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Plain white ground printed in black letterpress throughout, with no vignette or decorative underprint. The denomination numeral "1c" appears in bold type at each of the four corners. Centred text in the upper portion reads "Food Stamp" in a script typeface, below which "CREDIT SLIP" is set in large bold capitals, followed by the redemption clause and the issuer's name and address in a smaller sans-serif face. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Completely unprinted white paper stock with no text, vignette, or decorative elements of any kind. |
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| Comments |
Pearson's Market was one of numerous Washington D.C. retailers that issued small-denomination scrip during the coin shortages of the early 1970s, when the U.S. Mint struggled to keep cents and nickels in circulation. These privately issued pieces were technically illegal under federal law but were widely tolerated — the Treasury had more pressing concerns than prosecuting grocery stores making change in paper.
The 127 × 76 mm format was a practical choice, large enough to handle without losing it in a coat pocket, and the one-cent denomination reflects just how acute the small-coin problem had become.