10 Shi Jin - Shanxi Province Food Stamp

Chinese provincial food stamps (liangpiao) operated as a parallel rationing currency from 1955 until the system was formally abolished in 1993. Shanxi's 1981 issue falls in the mature phase of that system, when grain rationing had become deeply embedded in the hukou household registration framework — a resident without the correct provincial stamp could not legally purchase grain outside their registered area, making these coupons functionally equivalent to travel restrictions printed on paper.

The 10 shi jin denomination equals 5 kilograms, a meaningful monthly allocation unit. Official chop authentication was the primary anti-fraud measure, as the printing technology available for mass-issue rationing coupons offered little else.