"In 1947, during the shattered economy of Japan, soap and cigarettes became as valuable as gold."

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

"In 1947, during the shattered economy of Japan, soap and cigarettes became as valuable as gold."

"In Black Market Money by Walter Rundell, a study of post-World War II black markets in occupied nations in the American zone, he found market prices were one hundred times the legal prices for soap, butter, sugar, saccharine, coffee, flour, hosiery and flints. ( Presumably prices were even higher earlier in the occupation. ) Oleomargarine, liquor and eggs commanded prices seventy-five times higher; whereas potatoes and beef sold for fifty times more. Coal, gasoline, rubber tires, light bulbs, suits, and dresses sold for prices twenty-five times more than the legal limit."

http://members.aol.com/keninga/barter.htm

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), August 29, 1999

Answers

An historical point of no importance whatever: Early in the German Occupation, in the American zone, the civilians were using cigarettes for exchange, and all brands traded equally except for Kools, which were discounted.

-- Peter Errington (petere@ricochet.net), August 29, 1999.

No importance whatsoever? :)

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), August 29, 1999.

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