This Tiny Red Mystery Had a Clever Secret—And Almost Everyone Has Forgotten It
At first glance, this little red object looks impossible to open. There’s no zipper, no button, and no obvious lid. So how did people use it to carry their money?
The secret is hidden in its simple design.
Known as a vintage squeeze coin purse, or sometimes a Quikey purse, this clever little accessory was made from flexible rubber or vinyl. Instead of using a clasp, it relied on pressure. Simply squeeze the two narrow ends together, and the middle opens wide enough to reveal a hidden slit where coins could be stored. Let go, and it snaps shut again.
Simple, isn’t it?
These colorful purses became familiar everyday accessories from the 1950s through the 1980s. People carried them to keep spare change handy for bus fares, payphones, parking meters, and laundry machines. Some businesses even gave them away as promotional gifts, printing their names and logos on the bright, flexible material.
