Obverse Design
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The chit has just one rectangle, about 60 mm wide and 19 mm high.
Inside the rectangle, at the top is an elaborate banner with leaf and
fleur-de-lis decorations.
The center is a rectangular box with the denomination of "1" inside.
In reverse colors (light color letters on a dark background) the banner says
"GOOD FOR" to the left of the box, and "CENT" to the right.
The line under the banner says "IN COMMISSARY SUPPLIES". In a smaller size font
the next line says "AT ANY STORE OPERATED BY PANAMA RAILROAD CO.".
In the bottom left corner of the rectange is another small rectangular banner.
In reverse colors and small letters on two lines it says "NO GOOD IF" and
"DETACHED". The center bottom has the serial number; "5505C" in the example above.
The bottom right corner has a facsmile signature which says "Geo. W. Goethals"
with the title "PRESIDENT" in very small letters under the signature.
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Reverse Design
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The reverse has a similar rectangle about 60 mm wide and 19 mm high. The entire
rectangle is very ornate and detailed with leaves, flowers and lines, etc. The
center in reverse colors says "PANAMA RAILROAD CO.". One of the many designs
is an oval track that reaches all four sides of the rectangle. Inside the oval
track in very small letters it repeats the phrase "* PANAMA * RAILROAD" eight
times.
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Color
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The obverse is white with red ink; the serial number is in black ink.
The reverse is white with blue ink.
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Material
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Heavy paper.
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Size and Shape
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Rectangular, 69 mm wide by approximately 23 1/2 mm high. Top edge is perforated,
bottom edge is usually perforated but may be straight.
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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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Scarce.
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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 similar varieties. The coupon books are very different for
the two known series, but the chits appear to use the identical design.
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Function
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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 strip of five attached to each other, pictured below
(one of these five is pictured above as well).
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