Rationing Coin Pack

Product Description: The Rationing coin pack contains an original George VI bronze penny. The double-sided pack has a black and white photograph of the contents of an emergency store cupboard on the front. On the reverse is information about the coin and rationing.

Information: George VI bronze penny. Obverse bust of George VI. Reverse Britannia.

In May 1941, an adults weekly food ration was – 3 pints of milk, 225g of jam, 55g of tea, one shillings (12 pence) worth of meat, 170g of butter, 55g of cooking fat, 115g of bacon, 30g of cheese and 225g of sugar.

In Britain during the Second World War the government set up various agencies and ministries to direct the war effort. These bodies controlled factory production, limited price increases, censored newspapers and newsreels and set up rationing schemes to distribute scarce foods and goods fairly.

Food rationing began with sugar, butter, bacon and later with tea, milk and clothing. Each family received a book of ration coupons, which were used with money to purchase a set amount of rationed goods per week. Many imported foods and goods were in short supply as they would have taken up vital shipping space needed for wartime supplies. These products included tea, which was the most popular drink in Britain.

Front Image – The contents of an emergency store cupboard permitted for a family of four in 1942.