Two very rare finds

[Icewing]

Yesterday I hunted a couple of empty lots where there used to be houses and I found these two items, but I had no idea how cool they were till I cut them cleaned up and did some research.

The first I believe is a coal miners identification tag issued by "The Victor-American Fuel Co.", which in itself is not that rare. What makes it special is it's from a tiny ghost town known as Radiant, Colorado. I have yet to find another example of this tag.

Bright Beginning: Ghost town Radiant was once a busy mining camp - Canon City Daily Record




The second I thought was just another merchant trade token, but apparently not. It reads "The Brunswick-Balke Collender Compy" and a picture of a pool table on one side and "G. and G. Good for 3 1/2c (cents) in Trade" on the other side. The J. M. Brunswick Manufacturing Company opened for business 1845 primary building carriages, but soon got into building pool tables. After a series of mergers and expansions they became the Brunswick-Balke Collender Company in 1884, thus giving and earliest possible date for this token.

I have searched several online resources and auction sites and found several Brunswick-Balke (saloon?) tokens from 5-25 cents but not a single mention of this 3 1/2 cent scalloped edge token. Now I'm starting to think it's possible that this is a new discovery, or at least very rare.




I'd like to ask that those of you with books on tokens check to see if you can find out if this one is listed.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[BLK HOLE]

Very nice saves! The token is really neat

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Great Finds!
Try this one to start your search for answers
TokenCatalog.com

 

[Icewing]

Great Finds!
Try this one to start your search for answers
TokenCatalog.com

I did but they don't have it listed.

 

[HuntH2002]

Very nice finds. Congrats.

 

[Icewing]

I sent pics to another local detectorists and he said he just hunted those same lots with his CTX-3030 two weeks ago and only found a few clad coins.

High tech and super expensive isn't always best.

 

[lairmo]

Nice finds!!!

 

[screwynewy]

Assuming you are still using an Xterra 705 they are quite capable machines and can find pretty much anything that a CTX3030 can. Just have to get lucky and swing your coil over it and dig it. Awesome tokens. Maybe someone can help provide more information on them.

I sent pics to another local detectorists and he said he just hunted those same lots with his CTX-3030 two weeks ago and only found a few clad coins.

High tech and super expensive isn't always best.

 

[Mackaydon]

Here's a pic
history of the Radiant Mine: Rockvale Mines Coal - Rockvale Page
PS: I'll guess the check was originally placed on a checkboard then, when the miner came on shift, he took the tag with him--then put it back on the checkboard at the end of shift--thereby telling others (in the officer) whether or not he was still in the mine.
Don......

 

[Rookster]

No tellin how many tokens were made over the years. Nice finds.

 

[highnam]

Great finds come in pairs...I would rather find relics like these than silver coins... great finds!

 

[dirtlooter]

very cool, tokens and tags like that represent a different time of history, one of much harder times

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Great finds!

 

[BuckleBoy]

Nice unlisted token! I'd write to whoever authored the book on trade tokens for your state and include high quality photos of both sides of it so they can print it in the next edition.

 

[No gold in NY]

I sent pics to another local detectorists and he said he just hunted those same lots with his CTX-3030 two weeks ago and only found a few clad coins.

High tech and super expensive isn't always best.

Well maybe you have to hit the right spot too.

 

[Yak1366]

Sweet finds, Congrats!!!

 

[No gold in NY]

Super impressive finds. Congratulations.

 

[BondJamesBond]

Icewing, You had asked if anyone had found an employee pass like the one found. Well I cannot say that I found one that was identical but, very close to it. The differences being; the shape and size of pass, the number (mine was 433) the name of the town ( mine grey creek) and no hole. Unfortunately I no longer own the pass as I have sold it so I do not have a picture to provide to you art this time. There is a possibility of getting it back so, if I do I will post a picture of it.
The one you found is a great find and the token as well. I have neve seen a 3.5 cent token. Congratulations
Bond

 

[Icewing]

Icewing, You had asked if anyone had found an employee pass like the one found. Well I cannot say that I found one that was identical but, very close to it. The differences being; the shape and size of pass, the number (mine was 433) the name of the town ( mine grey creek) and no hole. Unfortunately I no longer own the pass as I have sold it so I do not have a picture to provide to you art this time. There is a possibility of getting it back so, if I do I will post a picture of it.
The one you found is a great find and the token as well. I have neve seen a 3.5 cent token. Congratulations
Bond

I found a few other Victor-American Fuel Co. Miners tags online just none from Radiant Colorado.

 

[Relicific]

Awesome finds