Ticket collection and investment

Author: Lu Keqin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features:
Vouchers were a hallmark of China's planned economy during periods of severe scarcity, serving as proof for the rationed supply of essential goods like food, clothing, and daily necessities. Hence, they were colloquially referred to as the "second currency." These vouchers were incredibly diverse, ranging from staples such as grain, cloth, cooking oil, cotton, meat, fish, sugar, salt, tobacco, alcohol, coal, firewood, and shoes to rarer items like battery vouchers, foot basin vouchers, stool vouchers, umbrella vouchers, enamel cup vouchers, and iron pot vouchers. There were also highly coveted vouchers for items like watches, bicycles, sewing machine tickets, television tickets, wardrobe tickets, and private room bed tickets. In those days, people regarded these vouchers as their "lifeline" or "life tickets."