During World War II various food products were rationed using ration stamps. These were given back as change.

Vintage Pill Container Dr. Miles



The History of OPA Tokens


OPA tokens were rationing tokens that were first issued on February 27, 1944, for rationing during WWII. In May of 1942, OPA stamps were used. However, on February 27, 1944, the OPA token made its debut. 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. Office of Over Priced Administrators!
The Office of Price Administration used OPA stamps, coins, and chits for rationing. Items that were rationed include canned goods, meats, sugar, coffee, tires, gas and more. 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. Blue tokens were used for processed foods and the red tokens were used for meats and fats. There are 30 different known red tokens and 24 known blue ones. Blue ones read: OPA Blue Point 1 (with two different letters) and the red ones read: OPA Red Point (with two different letters).
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.


https://bobstokens.com/the-history-of-opa-tokens/



Now people just fight over toilet paper