The Shrinking Value of the Dollar

About the shrinking value of the dollar in the history of the United States, prices rise as buying power lowers.

THE SHRINKING VALUE OF THE DOLLAR

The average retail cost of certain foods in selected years, 1890-1975 (to the nearest cent)

5 lb. 1 lb. 1 qt. 10 lb.

flour round steak milk potatoes

1890 .15 .12 .07 .16

1910 .18 .17 .08 .17

1930 .23 .43 .14 .36

1950 .49 .94 .21 .46

1970 .59 1.30 .33 .90

1975 .98 1.89 .45 .99

SOURCE:

United States Bureau of the Census. Historical Statistics of the United States from Colonial Times to 1957. (Washington, D.C., 1960). p. 128.

United States Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1972. 93rd edition (Washington, D.C., 1972). p. 353.

The People's Almanac's personal survey, January, 1975.

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