OPA points are small vulcanized fibre red and blue ration tokens issued during World War II to make change for ration coupons. Approximately 1.1 billion red and 0.9 billion blue were produced, and even though many were collected and destroyed after the war, they are still quite common today.
What are Opa red points used for?
OPA coins (commonly called OPAs) were used for change for food. OPAs were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. Blue tokens were used for processed foods; red tokens for meats and fats. Click to see full answer. Also know, what are Opa red points?
What is an OPA coin used for?
OPA coins (commonly called OPAs) were used for change for food. OPAs were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps.
How much is a red OPA token worth?
There are two red tokens that are worth a little, the MM (maybe $5 if it is a nice one) and the MV which is $75 to $100. When I first learned about OPA tokens there were only about 24 MV tokens known. More have shown up since then but they are still rare.
What is an OPA Blue Point token?
Similarly, what is OPA Blue Point Token? OPA coins (commonly called OPA's) were used for change for food. OPA's were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. Tokens used for rationing during World War II. There are 30 different red tokens and 24 blue ones. They are all vulcanized fiber (celluloid) and 16 mm in size.
What are Opa coins?
The History of OPA TokensOPA tokens were rationing tokens that were first issued on February 27, 1944, for rationing during WWII. ... OPA stands for Office of Price Administration. ... The Office of Price Administration used OPA stamps, coins, and chits for rationing. ... OPA tokens are either red or blue in color.More items...•
Are coins from WW2 worth anything?
Rare WW2-era copper wheat pennies - known as a Wheat Cent - are selling for $85,000 at auction. Check down the back of the couch, because you might find a penny that is worth almost $100,000. According to the experts at CoinTrackers, a rare 1943 coin made from copper wheat is selling for almost $85,000 at auctions.
What does Opa stand for in WW2?
On August 28, 1941, President Roosevelt's Executive Order 8875 created the Office of Price Administration (OPA). The OPA's main responsibility was to place a ceiling on prices of most goods, and to limit consumption by rationing. Americans received their first ration cards in May 1942.
What is a war ration book?
Every American was issued a series of ration books during the war. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods.
Are Opa red points worth anything?
During World War Two they were worth one point each. As mentioned earlier, rationing stamps were worth ten points, so OPA tokens would be used to make change, which is why they're worth one point. Nowadays they are worth fifty cents on average.
What is an Opa red Point token worth?
40 centsOn various price lists, the blue tokens sell for 80 cents and the red tokens for 40 cents. The few scarcer letters sell for $2 and $4. Error pieces — usually off-center or double-struck pieces — are more valuable, with prices shown online of $2.50 to $6 for off-center pieces and $5 to $6.50 for double-struck pieces.
Does the OPA still exist?
The OPA was abolished effective May 29, 1947, by the General Liquidation Order issued March 14, 1947, by the OPA Administrator.
Why was the OPA created?
President Roosevelt established the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply in April 1941 to “stabilize prices and rents and prevent unwarranted increases in them; to prevent profiteering, hoarding and speculation; to assure that defense appropriations were not dissipated by excessive prices; to protect ...
What did ration tokens look like?
The red tokens were used for meat, the blue tokens were used for non-meat items. These cardboard boxes filled with blue and red World War II ration tokens, each with a value of 1 point, were issued by the Office of Price Administration from 1939 until 1945.
Are war ration books worth any money?
A: Millions of ration books were issued during World War II. They were intended to prevent the hoarding of such goods as coffee, sugar, meat and other items in short supply due to the war. Ration books generally sell in the $5 to $25 range, but unlike savings bonds, you can't cash them in as you wish.
What was the last thing to be rationed?
Meat was the last item to be de-rationed and food rationing ended completely in 1954. One way to get rationed items without coupons, usually at greatly inflated prices, was on the black market.
What is a war ration book #4 worth?
Complete ration books sell for between $4 and $8, partial books between $2 and $4.
What is an OPA token?
OPA tokens are a section of numismatics that most people overlook. But OPA tokens are more than just tokens to me. They are historical items which everybody should take a look at. They show the struggles of World War Two.
What are the colors of OPA?
They were used to make exact change when somebody bought food with rationing stamps. There are two colors of OPA tokens; blue and red. The red OPA tokens were for things like meats and fats, while the blue tokens were for processed foods.
What does OPA stand for?
OPA stands for "Office of Price Administration. ". This agency was founded by the government. OPA issued rationing stamps at the start of World War Two and issued red and blue OPA tokens to make exact change for people buying food with ration stamps.
How many letters are there in the red token?
There are two letters near the "1", one letter on the left and one on the right. There are 30 different known letter combinations for the red tokens and 24 different known letter combinations for the blue tokens. You can find "* Blue * Point *" or "* Red * Point *" on the token depending on the colour of the token.
What is an OPA token?
OPA tokens were used for rationing during World War II. OPA tokens were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. OPA tokens are either red or blue in color. Red OPA’s are a lot more common than blue ones.
What does OPA stand for in stamps?
The OPA token would now represent 1 point and an OPA stamp would be worth 10 of these new OPA tokens. OPA stands for Office of Price Administration. During WWII, OPA had another acronym.
Why are there letters on OPA?
No one has found a true reason for the letters on the OPA’s. Theories include, they are random, demographics and prevention of counter fitting. They are all vulcanized fiber (celluloid) and 16mm in size. Both the red and blue OPA’s have certain ones that are more valuable than the rest.
Jace New Member
An opa point was used in WWII and I just got a red point in the mail from eBay, a red/blue point is roughly worth 2 dollars. President Roosevelt issued the OPA that issued the tokens for rationing food during the war.
Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member
An opa point was used in WWII and I just got a red point in the mail from eBay, a red/blue point is roughly worth 2 dollars. President Roosevelt issued the OPA that issued the tokens for rationing food during the war.
Oldhoopster Member of the ANA since 1982
I don't believe they're worth very much. Back in the 70's and 80's, I would always see loads of these in junk boxes
Jace New Member
I don't believe they're worth very much. Back in the 70's and 80's, I would always see loads of these in junk boxes
Jace New Member
Most are worth very little but there is one red token that is very rare and usually sells for about $100 I can't remember the letter combo right now. I will try to post it later
Conder101 Numismatist
The blue tokens are a little better than the red tokens, especially to ones with check letters that start with W, but they still aren't worth much, maybe a dollar or so. There are two red tokens that are worth a little, the MM (maybe $5 if it is a nice one) and the MV which is $75 to $100.
Linda McAndrew New Member
I have a coin purse from World War II that my grandfather had put in his ration tokens. We have about 10 blue ones and about 100 red ones. 5 MM's and 1 MC and ! MV. The blue ones are TX, XY, HY, TV,HH,WH, VV.I wonder if they are worth any money.
What does OPA stand for in rationing?
History and Other Information. OPA stands for Office of Price Administration. Rationing was first started in 1942. Items that were rationed include canned goods, meats, sugar, coffee, tires, gas and more. The Office of Price Administration used OPA stamps, coins, and chits for rationing.
Why are OPAs used?
OPAs were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. Blue tokens were used for processed foods; red tokens for meats and fats. Nobody has found a true reason for the letters on the OPA’s. Theories include, they are random; demographics; and prevention of counterfeiting.
Can OPAs be struck more than once?
The following is an example of an error OPAs. The pictures were sent to me by Dan Orbeck. As you can see OPAs can be struck, by mistake, more than one time. They are also not always centered when struck.
What is an OPA coin?
OPA coins (commonly called OPA's) were used for change for food. OPA's were used by retailers to give change back for food bought with ration stamps. Tokens used for rationing during World War II. There are 30 different red tokens and 24 blue ones.
When were OPA tokens first issued?
Blue tokens were used for processed foods; red tokens for meats and fats. OPA's were first issued in 1944 - Stopped being issued in 1945. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/104233-opa-rationing-token-information/.
What does OPA stand for in rationing?
Comments. OPA stands for Office of Price Administration. Rationing was started in 1942. Items that were rationed include canned goods, meats, sugar, coffee, tires, gas and more. The Office of Price Administration used OPA stamps, coins and chits for rationing.
What does 100 mean in numista?
It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.
