Blue text and an illustration of a triangle on a white background
THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO.
BUTTONS BADGES NOVELTIES AND SIGNS
NEWARK, N.J.
The War Savings Service (W.S.S.) was related to purchasing war savings stamps issued by the United States Treasury Department to help fund efforts in World War I and World War II. This button was intended to be worn by Americans to show their contribution from the home front during World War I. Wearing a button like this would indicate patriotism and generosity, and would serve to encourage others to participate in similar war efforts. The program also taught the benefits of thrift and saving.
War saving stamps were first issued in 1917. The War Saving Certificate Stamp could be purchased for $4.12 between December 3, 1917 and January 31, 1918, and would be worth $5.00 when it reached maturity on January 1,1923 (the price of the stamp increased by one cent for each month after January 1918, until sales ended in December 1918). The Treasury issued a new series of stamps with the same interest rate and maturity in subsequent years, with the final series being issued in December of 1920.