Description:

This collectible phone card features a vibrant red front, decorated with simple yet meaningful elements that highlight both cultural and commercial significance. In the upper left corner, traditional Chinese characters are printed, translating to "Bank of America New Year Calling Card." This indicates that the card was specially designed to celebrate the Lunar New Year, a major holiday in many East Asian cultures. The dominant red color is particularly fitting, as it is traditionally associated with luck, happiness, and vitality in Chinese culture. Adjacent to these characters, the English translation appears in bold black text, enhancing accessibility and symbolizing a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures.

The right side of the card is dominated by a stylized, charming golden pig illustration. The pig is decorated with two flower motifs on its body, adding to its auspicious symbolism. In Chinese astrology, the pig is one of the twelve zodiac animals, representing wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. Its rounded, friendly shape contributes to the festive and welcoming atmosphere of the design. The simple, traditional aesthetic of the pig reflects lunar New Year decorations, seamlessly blending cultural symbolism with corporate branding.

The bottom third of the card displays the logos of Bank of America and AT&T, two prominent American companies. The Bank of America logo appears in black, providing a strong contrast against the red background, while AT&T’s globe-like emblem is similarly rendered in black. These logos emphasize the card’s practical purpose as a prepaid phone card issued by major corporations. The collaboration between a banking institution and a telecommunications provider underscores its utility, positioning it as both a collectible item and a functional communication tool—especially significant in an era before mobile phones became ubiquitous.

Overall, the card’s design balances celebration and practicality, using culturally resonant imagery and carefully selected colors to enhance its appeal. By commemorating the Chinese New Year with the prominent pig motif and incorporating well-known corporate branding, the card serves as a symbol of multicultural outreach and corporate marketing. It functions not only as a collectible but also as a representation of connectivity—social and technological—during a time traditionally associated with family reunions and communication.

Turning to the back side, it provides essential information for use. The background is predominantly white, featuring a series of horizontal gray lines that create a clean, organized layout. A metallic strip at the top indicates its function as a phone card for use in public or pay phones. Below this strip, a slot for a magnetic chip or data encoding is visible, likely used to store remaining value or credits. The area beneath contains printed instructions and usage details, though the text is small and compact. It includes guidance on how to use the card for making calls within designated networks.

An embossed number on the back serves as a unique identifier or serial number, facilitating tracking and activation. Additionally, there may be a toll-free customer service number or other contact information printed in fine print to assist users with any issues. The design maintains a functional focus, prioritizing clarity and practicality over decoration—a common feature of phone cards from this era. The contrast between the front’s celebratory, colorful design and the back’s utilitarian style encapsulates the dual purpose of the card—as both a commemorative keepsake and a practical communication tool.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.