Global Barter / Global networks / G088
Global networks · Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. · G088
Sitter Scrip
Paper coupons for babysitting, and a famous lesson in scarcity.
Security Edition v2
The same note set like a banknote: full engraved portrait of Noun #9, guilloche, watermark, thread, foil stripe and microtext, all printed art. What's on it
The tradition · documented in the 1970s
Babysitting co-op scrip (Capitol Hill Babysitting Co-op)
In the 1970s, families in the Capitol Hill Babysitting Co-op paid for childcare in scrip worth half an hour each; when too few coupons circulated, members hoarded them and sitting slumped.
Source: Baby-Sitting the Economy (Slate, 1998) ↗
How a note would work
Families earn Half-Hours by sitting for other members' children and spend them on sitting for their own, with enough issued to keep sitting flowing. Never bought or cashed out.
Design concept inspired by this tradition, not issued by or for the people who keep it. Not legal tender, not for sale, no cash value, no redemption and no investment rights.
- PlaceCapitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
- Eradocumented in the 1970s
- RegionGlobal networks
- UnitHalf-Hour · Half-Hours
- Face value2 Half-Hours
- SerialGB-G088-N0009
- NounActual Noun #9 ↗
- Why this NounBabysitters work the evening shift, when the bats come out.
- Headbat
- Glassessquare blue med saturated
- Bodyblue sky
- Accessorygray scale 1
- Seedbg 0 · body 2 · acc 134 · head 9 · glasses 4