Metropol

Almost all coupons you encounter make some reference to a "cash value" that they have (usually something pathetic like a hundredth of a penny as above.

I always used to think that there was some ancient law somewhere in the midsts of time that said all coupons had to have a value of some sort.

But some coupons take it all to its logical conclusion and just say "No cash value".

What's the story behind some coupons having a small cash value? Are there laws that apply to some coupons and not others? Something to do with the value of the paper itself? Or do the printers of the coupons not even know why they are printing that on it and just do it because everyone else does?

NB This post has a cash value of 0.01p. Please submit your claim by post by printing this web page and enclosing a stamped 1st class envelope c/o cdd, Metropol Claims Division, PO Box 123, Edinburgh EH6.

I wonder what would happen if I collected 1000 and took them into a post office?

I think the rules are fairly simple.

If you are expected to pay something, i.e. the coupon is a discount then it has to have a notional value or consideration to be legally tendered.

If the supplier is prepared to offer the product free (or as part of a deal when a component could be classed as free - eg. bogofs requiring coupons) then it's simply an exchange on the terms quoted and no value need be inferred, hence no value need be stated.