Description:

This collectible phone card vividly captures early 1990s Shanghai, blending global branding with local telecommunications. The front features a striking red background—a color strongly associated with Coca-Cola’s iconic branding and Chinese cultural symbolism for good luck and prosperity. Prominently displayed in bold white Chinese characters is the brand name “可口可乐,” the Mandarin translation of Coca-Cola, reflecting the brand’s localized marketing approach. Below these characters, the globally recognized Coca-Cola logo is elegantly printed, reinforcing authenticity. The combination of Chinese script and English branding visually bridges cultural divides, making this phone card a distinctive collector’s item.

The top section of the card showcases a prominent white wave, a graphic element reminiscent of Coca-Cola’s flowing shape used in global packaging and advertising, adding a dynamic visual element. Next to this graphic is the abbreviation “STP,” likely referring to the Shanghai Telecommunications Plant or a related entity. Accompanying this are smaller Chinese characters indicating the manufacturing origin—a factory in Pudong, Shanghai—along with an address and telephone number, anchoring the collectible in its historical and geographic context. This detail emphasizes the card’s practical and commercial purpose beyond its advertising appeal.

The lower part of the card is functional, displaying the monetary value of ¥25 in bold characters. This indicates its use as a prepaid phone card for making calls within Shanghai, with clear validity restrictions. Instructions are printed in both English and Chinese, providing three key guidelines: the card is non-refundable and non-exchangeable; it is valid only within Shanghai; and users are advised to avoid bending or storing the card near magnetic fields, which could impair its functionality. These bilingual instructions reflect the transitional phase of Shanghai’s telecommunications landscape during the early 1990s, highlighting internationalization efforts.

Finally, the card bears official endorsement from the Post and Telecommunication Administration of Shanghai, lending it an authoritative appearance as an official communication device. Its pristine condition, evidenced by the absence of wear and a visible serial number (00049758), suggests it was preserved for collectors or promotional purposes rather than regular use. Overall, this Coca-Cola-branded Autelca phone card not only offers a snapshot of Shanghai’s modernization and globalization during a pivotal era but also serves as a tangible artifact that blends commerce, communication technology, and cross-cultural branding from early 1990s China.

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.