Table Of ContentMARYLAND
FOOD STAMP
CHANGE
TOKENS
family
CASH
MARKET
907LAKE ST
SALISBURY
MO
JANUARY 2002
CRAIG
EDWARD L
.
MD TAMS LM#22
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the following draft of the new reference on
Maryland Food Stamp Change Tokens is my initial attempt to catalog
these relatively overlooked Maryland tokens. In producing this first
draft, I have relied on numerous articles by Mr. Neil Shafer and
information and articles provided by Mr. Lee Quast. The former provided
a historical perspective and interesting data on the United States
Department of Agriculture (UDSA) program throughout its various phases,
while the latter provided me with critical information on most of the
Maryland items that I have catalogued. Thanks also to Mr. Paul
Cunningham and Mr. Lee Quast who both helped me expand my collection of
Maryland Food Stamp Change Tokens.
It is my sincere hope that you will search your Maryland token
collections and provide me with any additional data available. As you
will see in the reference, I am aware of several locations/merchants
that issued tokens that do not have. If you have them or can share
I
the related information, will add these to the reference with the
I
proper documentation in the correct format. It is my intent to publish
this reference in final in 2004; hopefully, your input will help make
this reference as complete as possible.
also encourage each and every member of the Maryland Token and
I
Medal Society to pick an area of collecting interest and develop
your own reference on some yet undocumented area of Maryland
Numismatics or exonumia. We need to capture this very perishable
information before it is too late.
Edward L. Craig
MD TAMS LM#22
.
MARYLAND FOOD STAMP CHANGE TOKENS
Most everyone has heard of various United States Government
subsistence plans to include the Food Stamp Program. Many of you have
probably been in line at the local grocery store and have seen someone
paying their bill with special government script called "Food Stamps".
This program is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
and has been around since about 1939. The program began as a result of
the Depression that gripped the United States in the 1930's. It was a
program by the government to allow low-income families and those
families receiving government assistance to have greater purchasing
power when they bought food on the local economy.
How may you ask does this relate to collecting tokens? Let me
explain. At various times since the inception of the program, the UDSA
mandated that when Food Stamps were redeemed, that change provided by
the merchant not be in legal United States tender. This led to the use
of both credit slips/forms and tokens for making change. Most recent
programs have seen the use of round plastic change tokens. Based on my
findings to date, it appears that several Maryland merchants also used
metal tokens. will discuss all such Maryland tokens known to me later
I
in this reference. For now it may be useful to provide a bit more
history to help put all of this in context.
In some recent articles in Numismatic News (27 March and 1 May 2001
"Duly Noted" columns), Mr. Neil Shafer documented some very useful and
interesting research he had done concerning Wisconsin Food Stamp
Change. Subsequently, I found out that Mr. Shafer had written
significantly more material on the food stamp program. I would like to
thank Mr. Shafer for his work which added just the right background for
me since I had been collecting Maryland Food Stamp tokens for some time
but knew very little about the actual program. What follows is some
historical perspective as taken directly or gisted from Mr. Shafer's
articles
Shafer references a USDA pamphlet he acquired and quotes a section
on Questions and Answers for Retailers and Wholesalers which contains
the following question and answer. "How do retailers make change for
food coupons? Unendorsed 50-cent (and later the $1) coupons may be used
in making change. If an amount less than 50-cents (later $1) is
required, the food coupon shopper has the option of paying in cash or
accepting a credit slip from the retailer for future delivery of an
equivalent value of eligible foods. A credit slip or bill cannot
exceed 49 cents (originally 24 cents, later 99 cents when used in food
coupon transactions. Examples: (a) If a customer buys $9.50 worth of
food and tenders five $2.00 coupons in payment, he may be given one 50-
cent coupon in change, (b) If a customer buys 60 cents worth of food,
one 50-cent coupon may be given the cashier plus 10 cents in cash; or
if the customer gives the cashier two 50-cent coupons for a 60 cent
purchase, the cashier could give as change a credit slip for 40 cents."
Beside credit slips and depending on the Phase of the program, change
was sometimes made using tokens.
.
The UDSA Food Stamp/Coupon Program has evolved through several
distinct phases. will rely on Mr. Shafer's description of the three
I
phased evolution. M ... Phase I encompassed the period from 1939 to early
1943 which saw the inception of the original Food Stamp Plan. It
operated much the same as " the later phases: " stamps sold at a
discount, redeemed at full face value by the government, and grocers
having to make change in material other than in U.S. coin. A scattering
of issues of tokens, scrip, and due bills is known from Phase I but as
a group it's very small. Most were simply never saved. Phase II began
in mid-1961 and lasted until the end of 1970. During this time the
Program was revived from the old Plan of the '30 's, modified and
enlarged as it gained momentum until by the end of 1970 all but six
states were participating in whole or in part. Once again the stores
were required to use coin substitutes for 49c or less, but in an abrupt
and surprising move this gave way to a new regulation early in 1971
which did allow the use of U.S. coin for changemaking. Thus ended Phase
II . . . ” Mr. Shafer notes that there is a decent amount of Phase II
material still around and therefore collectable. He managed to locate
at least one item from every state in the program as of 1970. The use
of U.S. coin did not last long (January 1971 to March 1972). The policy
was reversed and Phase III began in 1 March 1972 and stores were back
to making change the old way. This lasted until the end of 1978.
One of the most interesting aspects of this program was the fact
that the government mandated the use of non-U. S. coins directly causing
a new field of tokens, scrip, and exonumia to surface. Beside the
diverse types of credit slips, paper stamps & coupons, the tokens that
arose from this need were metal, fiber, plastic and even wood. Mr.
Shafer found a store in Aberdeen, South Dakota that used both a 5c and
10c wooden token. The majority of the more recent tokens are round
plastic; however, there are a few exceptions.
The following is a list of all Maryland Food Stamp Change tokens
that I have had access to or of which I have become aware.
OLDER METAL MARYLAND FOOD STAMP CHANGE TOKENS
The first group of and assumed to be older, metal tokens are
listed in the Maryland Merchant Token book compiled and written by Mr.
David Schenkman. (Page numbers below refer to Schenkman's book.)
A. Obverse: BALTIMORE MARKETS/ /FOOD STAMP/CREDIT/NOT TRANSFERRABLE
1
Reverse: GOOD FOR/1/FOOD ONLY
Brass, 17mm (see page 13)
B. Obverse: BALTIMORE MARKETS/ /FOOD STAMP/CREDIT/NOT TRANSFERRABLE
5
Reverse: GOOD FOR/5/FOOD ONLY
Brass, 20mm (see page 13)
C. Obverse: BALTIMORE MARKETS/ /FOOD STAMP/CREDIT/NOT TRANSFERRABLE
1
Reverse: GOOD FOR/1/SURPLUS FOOD ONLY
Aluminum, 17mm (see page 14)
D. Obverse: BALTIMORE MARKETS/ /FOOD STAMP/CREDIT/NOT TRANSFERRABLE
5
Reverse: GOOD FOR/5/SURPLUS FOOD ONLY
Aluminum, 20mm (see page 14)
Note: Mr. Schenkman indicates that the Baltimore Market tokens were
probably used in the 1940's.
E. Obverse: SCHREIBER/BROS INC. /FOOD STAMP/REGULAR
,
Reverse: (within circle of rays)
1
Brass, 18mm (see page 100)
F. Obverse: SCHREIBER/BROS, INC. /FOOD STAMP/REGULAR
Reverse: (within circle of rays)
5
Brass, 19mm (see page 101)
G. Obverse: SCHREIBER/BROS, INC. /FOOD STAMP/REGULAR
Reverse: 10 (within circle of rays)
Brass, 22mm (see page 101)
H. Obverse: SCHREIBER/BROS, INC. /FOOD STAMP/SURPLUS
Reverse: (within circle of rays)
1
Aluminum, 18mm (see page 101)
I. Obverse: SCHREIBER/BROS, INC. /FOOD STAMP/SURPLUS
Reverse: (within circle of rays)
5
Aluminum, 19mm (see page 101)
J. Obverse: SCHREIBER/BROS, INC. /FOOD STAMP/SURPLUS
Reverse: 10 (within circle of rays)
Aluminum, 22mm (see page 101)
Note: Mr. Schenkman indicates that Schreiber Brothers started
business in the 1920 's.
MARYLAND PLASTIC FOOD STAMP CHANGE TOKENS
The next group of Food Stamp Change tokens are plastic. They
are from the 1970 's timeframe when the UDSA asked that the tokens
contain the words "in eligible foods only".
OBVERSE These tokens show the merchant and related information on
:
the obverse. Unless otherwise noted, the obverse writing is white.
The size of the obverse writing can vary in both size and script style.
The location with the most tokens is not suprisingly Baltimore with
several other locations having only one known set of tokens. The tokens
below are listed alphabetically by Maryland location.
REVERSE These tokens all have the same reverse wording:
:
FOOD STAMP CREDIT/"DENOMONATION"/IN ELIGIBLE FOODS
).
The possible denominations are: 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. The
denomination portion of the below listing shows each denomination
known for that merchant. This section can be used to mark the ones you
have in your collection. Normal denomination color scheme for these
tokens is as follows:
Black - lc
Green - 5c
Blue - 10c
Red - 25c
Purple - 50c
Notel: Several merchants used Bronze 50c tokens. This is noted where
applicable
Note2: Some tokens have no white writing on the reverse. These issues
are plain plastic with the UDSA words in raised letters. These
are noted where applicable.
LOCATION DENOMINATIONS
ANNAPOLIS:
PAROLE HIGH' S/7 PAROLE/STREET/ANNAPOLIS/MD/21401 (1,5,10,25,50)
SHAW FOOD MARKET/H L BARR/43 LAFAYETTE AVE (1,5,10,25,50)
. .
AVENUE:
LASURE /GENERAL/STORE/AVENUE/MD (1,5,10,25,50)
' S
(General Delivery)
BALTIMORE:
APICELLA' S/GROCERY/221/S HIGH ST /BALTIMORE/MD (1.5.10.25.50)
. .
B&E/VARIETY &/GROCERY/OPEN 7 DAYS (1.5.10.25.50)
(5223 YORK RD
.
JOE/BELL /POULTRY/LEXINGTON/MARKET (1.5.10.25.50)
' S
BINGEN' S/FREEZER/MEATS/INC (1,5,10,25,50)
(7215 Pulaski Highway)
1901 E. CHASE/BROWN'S/BALTIMORE, MD 21213 (1,5,10,25,50)
.
BROWN 'S/JUMBO/GROCERY/1145 W/SARATOGA ST/ (1,5,10,25,50)
BALTIMORE/MD (TYPE I)
) )
BROWN'S/JUMBO GROCERY/1145 W/SARATOGA ST/ 1,5,10,25,50)
(
BALTIMORE, MD (TYPE II)
BUIE ' S GRO. & LIQ./1101/myrtle ( 1,5,10,25,50)
(Has rim, Obverse single color - no white letters)
2863 GREENMOUNT AVE 235-7636/BUTCHER'S/
.
PRODUCE/CO 1,5,10,25,50)
(
CAMPBELL'S/GROCERY/CHERRY/HILL 1,5,10,25,50)
(
(3400 Round Road)
CHESAPEAKE/BEEF/COMPANY/2411 E/MONUMENT ST/
BALTIMORE/MD 1,5,10,25,50)
(
COOKIE 'S/LIQUORS/1301 N/BOND ST 1,5,25)
(
COOPER' S/GROCERY/1500 WEST/FAYETTE/ST 1,5,10,25,50)
(
CROWN/FOODS/HARDFORD/& PRESTON/ST 1,5,10,25,50)
(
(TYPE I)
CROWN/FOODS/HARDFORD &/PRESTON STS 1,5,10,25,50)
(TYPE II)
DAVIS & FRANCE/CONFECTIONARY/100 S/CURLEY ST ;i, 5, 10,25,50)
DISCOUNT/POP/SHOP ;i, 5, 10, 25, 50)
(2320 WILKENS AVENUE)
DOUG S/1100 N/STRICKER/ST [1.5.10.25.50)
'
COMPLETE SHOPPING/DOUGHTY /FOOD/MARKET (1.5.10.25.50)
' S
(Words: Doughty's Food Market are within a white
circle
E-ZEE/SUPER/MARKET (1,5,10,25,50)
(803 Washington Blvd.
EDDIE' S/SUPER/MARKET/45 16/ERDMAN AVE (1,5,10,25,50)
FELLNER/MEATS/N.E. MARKET/BALTIMORE/MD/276-5141 (1,5,10,25,50)
FOOD/WAREHOUSE/MARKET (1,5,10,25,50)
FRANKLIN'S/VARIETY/STORE/433-7315 (1,5,10,25,50)
(5218 Alhambra Avenue)
GEORGE S/GROCERY/4901/PALMER AVE (1,5,10,25,50)
'
H & B/SEAFOOD/&/PRODUCE/MARKET (1,5,10,25,50)
(Has rim, Obverse single color - no white letters,
50c token is Bronze vice Purple)
(2210 Greenmount Avenue)
1
H & H/GROCERY/1742/DRUID HILL AVE/BALTIMORE MD (1,5,10,25,50)
(Has rim and clear, raised letter reverse - no white letters)
HERLING BROTHERS/FOOD/MARKET/942/WHITELOCK/ST (1,5,10,25,50)
HERLING /LEXINGTON/MARKET/BALTIMORE/MD (1,5,10,25,50)
' S
(TYPE I)
HERLING S/LEXINGTON/MARKET/BALTIMORE MD (1,5,10,25,50)
' ,
(Also has smaller obv/rev letters than TI) (TYPE II)
HOMESTEAD CONFECTIONARY/1302 E/HOMESTEAD/ST/ (1,5,10,25,50)
BALTIMORE/MD
J & L/GROCERY/2901 CLIFTON AVE/BALTIMORE, MD/
301-728-5795 (1,5,10,25,50)
JAMES/CONFECTIONARY (1,5,10,25,50)
(1131 West Cross Street)
Has rim, Obverse single color - no white letters,
(
50c Bronze)
JENNIE S/90 EAST/CHASE ST/BALTIMORE, MD/21202 (1,5,10,25,50)
'
KELLY S/CONFECTIONARY/2200/DRUID HILL/AVE (1,5,10,25,50)
'
KEN' S/STAR/MARKET/2646 POLK ST/BALTIMORE/MD (1,5,10,25,50)
KENNEDY 'S/GROCERY/1448 N MOUNT/BALTIMORE/MD (1,5,10,25,50)
(Has rim, Obverse single color - no white letters,
50c Bronze)
KENNY S/GROCERY/THANK/YOU (1,5,10,25,50)
'
(1701 W. Fayette Street)
KEYSTONE/ONE STOP/150 1/ABBOTSON STREET (1,5,10,25,50)
(Has rim, Obverse single color - no white letters,
50c Bronze)
KRELL 'S/BALTIMORE/SUPER MARKET/BALTIMORE, MD/21224 (1,5,10,25,50)
(502 S. Ponca Street)
LEE'S/CUT RATE &/FOOD MARKET/2002-04 E/OLIVER ST/
BALTIMORE (1,5,10,25,50)
M/FOOD MART/SHOP-SAVE (1,5,10,25,50)
(Large letters) (TYPE I)
(234 S. Broadway)
M/FOOD MART/SHOP-SAVE (1,5, 10,25,50)
(Small letters, Obverse one color - no white letters) (TYPE II)
(234 S. Broadway)
M /GROCERY/180 /E BIDDLE/BALTIMORE/MD (1/5,10,25,50)
' S 1 .
MARGIES/VARIETY/2524 FLEET ST/BALTIMORE, MD/21224 (1,5,10,25,50)
MC CAIN/GROCERY/758/RESEVOIR ST (1,5,10,25,50)
MC MILLION/GROCERY (1,5,10,25,50)
(Lettering breaks white circle in half)
(1600 Holbrook Street)
MEL' S/MARKET/2143 W. NORTH AVE/BALTO. MD/21217/ (1,5,10,25,50)
,
669-9623
MICKEY'S DELLY/(White outlined figure of baker (1,5,10,25,50)
with hat /27 S. FULTON AVE
)
MILL S/GROCERY/4625/REISTERSTOWN/ROAD (1,5,10,25,50)
'
(TYPE I)
MILL S/GROCERY/4625/REISTERSTOWN/ROAD (1,5,10,25,50)
'
(TYPE II)
MOORE'S/GROCERY (1,5,10,25,50)
(44 N. Patterson Park Avenue)
NEIGHBORHOOD/1927 CECIL/243-5334/GROCERY (1,5,10,25,500
(1927 Cecil Avenue)
OUR/PEOPLE/STORE (1,5,10,25,50)
(1001 Edmonson Avenue)
OWENS/GROCERY/CHERRY/HILL (1,5,10,25,50)
(627 Roundview Road)
P & G/GROCERY/447 S/BENTALOU ST/BALTIMORE/MD (1,5,10,25,50)
PASTORE S/1007/EAST/LOMBARD (1.5.10.25.50)
'
PASTORE ' S/1007/EAST LOMBARO (Error on spelling
of street name "LOMBARO" (10.25.50)
PAT S/FOOD/MARKET (1.5.10.25.50)
'
(365 Cornwall Street)
PETE /GROCERY/408/WILSON/STREET (1,5,10,25,50)
' S
POLK /HIGH/STORE (1,5,10,25,50)
' S
(2146 Penrose Avenue) (TYPE I)
POLK /HIGHS/STORE (1,5,10,25,50)
' S
(2146 Penrose Avenue) (TYPE II)
PRICE'S GROCERY/994/FRANKLINTOWN ROAD (1,5,10,25,50)
PURVIS/CORNER (1,5,10,25,50)
(2241 Hollins Ferry Road)
REEDBIRD/FOOD/MARKET (1,5,10,25,50)
(200 Reedbird Avenue)
REISTERSTOWN/FOOD/CENTER/4600/REISTERSTOWN (1,5,10,25,50)
BALTIMORE/MD
RIDDICK S/GROCERY/STORE (1,5,10,25,50)
'
(1001 E. Preston Street)
ROPER /GROCERY/4160PIMLICO RD/BALTIMORE/MD (1,5,10,25,50)
' S
SANITARY/FOOD/STORES (1,5,10,25)
(Small obverse letters) (TYPE I)
(5513 Selma Avenue)
SANITARY/FOOD/STORES
1
( )
(Large obverse letters) (TYPE II)
(5513 Selma Avenue)
SANITARY/FOOD/STORES (1,5,10,25,50)
(Has rim) (TYPE III)
((5513 Selma Avenue)
SCOTT' S/GROCERY/1100/ARGYLE AVE (1,5,10,25,50)
SIMONSON S/GROCERY/BALTIMORE/MD (1,5,10,25,50)
'
(Large letters. Small denomination) (TYPE I)
SIMONSON 'S/GROCERY/BALTIMORE/MD (1,5,10,25,50)
(Small letters, Large denomination) (TYPE II)
(501 N. Denison)
SUPER/PRIDE/MARKETS/2305 E/CHASE ST (1,5,10,25,50)
(TYPE I)
SUPER/PRIDE/MARKETS/2305 E./CHA-SE ST (1,5,10,25,50)
(Large letters, small denomination) (TYPE II)
SUPER/PRIDE/MARKETS/2305 E/CHASE ST (1,5, 10,25,50)
(Small letters, large denomination) (TYPE III)
SUPER/PRIDE/MARKETS/2305 E/CHASE ST (1,5,10,25,50)
(Has rim) (Type IV)
THOMPSON/PRODUCE/2507/RIDGLEY ST /BALTIMORE/MD (1,5,10,25,50)
/
WILSON'S/GROCERY/1525 E. CHASE ST/BALTIMORE MD (1,5,10,25,50)
WINSLOW ' S/MARKET (1,5,10,25,50)
(728 McCabe Avenue)
