Issue 1.
The Stalin Central Workers’ Cooperative (initially the Yuzovka Workers’ Cooperative) was the largest non-state issuer in Yuzovka (Stalino). The cooperative was founded in 1888 on the Larynska Side, i.e., in the factory part of the settlement. At that time it was called the “Consumers’ Society near the plant of the Novorossiysk Society.” According to old residents’ recollections, it issued its own tokens (orders) used to obtain food products from the agricultural operations of the Novorossiysk Society, located at the Peski farmstead. In the early 20th century, the cooperative opened branches (shops) on the 1st Line (now Artem Street), the 10th Line, and at the Vetka mine.
In 1924, together with the city, the cooperative changed its name. In 1924, the SCRK was the largest cooperative association of employees of the “Yugostal” trust, which, in addition to the Stalin Metallurgical Plant with its mines, included the Makeevka and Yenakiieve metallurgical plants and mines. As of January 1, 1924, the Stalin Central Workers’ Cooperative had 7,541 workers among its members. In total, 21,000 people worked at the plant and mines. The share capital in January amounted to 23,950.78 rubles. In April of the same year, the number of shareholders was increased to 7,938 people.
In January 1924, the cooperative operated 2 general stores, 8 branches (medium-sized shops), and 6 kiosks (small shops). Several bakeries baked 7,213 poods of bread per month. Canteens were opened in the second half of 1924. In June, an additional 5 shops, 5 bread kiosks, and 20 tobacco stalls were opened. In April 1924, the population purchased goods worth 415,496 rubles. A few more facts: the cooperative sold bread for 7 kopeks (it cost 16 kopeks at the market), and meat for 16 kopeks per pound. Up to 30% of these goods were sold for money substitutes, or, in other words, scrip (“bons”) of its own production.
What could be bought with this money? Any goods from the cooperative’s shop assortment. Any—except alcohol. More precisely, alcohol was also sold, but in the summer of 1924 the press launched a campaign supporting a ban on selling the “green serpent” in exchange for goods checks.