Coupon Type 1: Paper Theory

[usernamealreadytaken]

I struggle with the argument against considering T213-1 part of the T206 family. I won't reiterate all the points on why they should be in, but rather the two reasons they are not:

1.) Cause Burdick said so (though I think he simply lumped them in a series because of subsequent "Coupon" issues. I contend that if Sweet Caporal issued slightly different series' a few years later they would befall the same fate.)

2.) They are thinner. Well, we all know that (mis)classification on this basis is not sound because of American Beauty cards, which are undeniably T206.

To my point: Coupon cards were the "PallMall's" or "USA Gold's" of ATC brands; the cheapies in the product line. Three things point to this:

A.) They were primarily sold in LA (rural south); probably the poorest areas in the US at the time;
B.) The relative "bland"-ness and simplicity of the back design relative to other T206's;
C.) Thinner paper stock for the premiums (cards) was used.

Think about the "toy or prize" in a kid's frozen dinner, cereal box or Happy Meal: the "better" the product, the nicer the premium inside...