Obverse Design
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Book cover has a large rectangle with a double line border. Within the
rectangle there is a cloud-like background design. In the upper left corner
a section has a straight edge on the top on left sides which meet in a corner,
and a cloud like border on the bottom and right side. In this section
in reverse colors are two lines which say "COMMISSARY" and "COUPON BOOK".
In the upper right corner it says "No." where the "o" is above
the "." and and has the serial number; "5505C" in the example above.
Curving slightly upwards on a cloud in the center, and using outlined letters
it says "PANAMA RAIL ROAD Co."
In the bottom left corner is a reverse color banner which reads
"THIS BOOK IS NOT TRANSFERABLE".
In small print under this banner are four lines which read
"MUST BE USED WITHIN SIXTY DAYS",
"FROM DATE OF ISSUE AND WILL NOT", "BE HONORED UNLESS ISSUED BY" and
"AN AUTHORIZED PARTY".
In the bottom right corner is a box which says "$15.00", and is decorated with
some heart designs to the right and to the left. The box is on a circle which
is in reverse colors (the circle is in dark ink and the letters are in the
background color).
Along the top of this circle it says "VALUE". Along the bottom of the circle
it says "GOLD".
The left edge has the black material used to bind this coupon book.
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Reverse Design
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Unknown. Perhaps the same as CT205-00.
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Other Details
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This book had five chits on each page. The only known denomination is 1 cent.
Since the book has a value of $15.00, there must have also been other higher
denomination chits in this book when issued.
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Color
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Red with black ink; the serial number is in black ink as well.
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Material
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Light-weight cardboard.
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Size and Shape
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Rectangular, approximately 128mm wide by 69 mm high.
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Dates Issued
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Around 1912.
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Issurer
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Panama Railroad Company. The PRR was owned by the United States Government and
was selected to operate commissaries to feed all the PRR and Panama Canal workers.
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Mintage
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Unknown.
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Rarity
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Very Rare.
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Manufacturer
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Probably Allison Coupon Co. of Indianapolis, U.S.A.
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Source
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Courtesy of Anonymous.
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Varieties
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There are two known very different book varieties for the two known series. The
chits however appear to use the identical design.
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Function
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Book of chits used to purchase commissary (grocery and general store) supplies.
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Notes
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For population count, known specimens are as follows:
- Anonymous Specimen #5505C, pictured above.
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