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1 Coffee Stamp Uncut Rationing Stamps; Office of Price Administration, USA
| Issuer | Office of Price Administration, USA |
|---|---|
| Year | 1942-1945 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Paper |
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| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Uncut sheet of twelve WWII-era rationing stamps printed in dark navy blue on pale blue paper, arranged in two columns of six. Left column stamps bear sequential even and odd numbers (41–46) alongside the word COFFEE in bold block lettering; right column stamps carry numbers (50–60, even) alongside the word SPARE, each set within a banner with fine ruled line underprint. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Plain unprinted pale blue paper reverse showing the dashed perforation grid lines dividing the sheet into twelve individual coupons, with no text or vignette. |
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| Comments |
The Office of Price Administration administered one of the most ambitious consumer rationing programs in American history, covering everything from gasoline to shoes. Coffee rationing began in November 1942 after U-boat activity in the Atlantic severely disrupted shipping from South American suppliers, and it remained in effect — with a brief suspension in mid-1943 — until mid-1945. Each adult received one pound of coffee every five weeks at the program's most restrictive point.
Uncut sheets are considerably rarer than individual stamps, most of which were cut at point of distribution. The OPA's printing operation was hastily organized and used multiple contractors, which accounts for the variety of paper stocks, perforations, and ink shades encountered across the series.