Opera House Billiard Parlor Token?

[hoosier hunter]

Found this token in a field where an old school use to be. Just wanted to see if anyone knows about how old it might be or any other info on this type of token.the back of the token say's "Good for 2-1/2 cents in trade". It was about 7 Inches deep. Thank's

Hoosier Hunter.....

 

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[idahotokens]

It may be impossible to determine where this 'maverick' (a token with no indication of town and state) hails from. An opera house was often the first indication that a town had gained some 'class' and many businesses sought to associate themselves with that class. Quite often a fraternal organization would build a 2-story meetinghouse, the upstairs being their meeting rooms that possibly doubled as an auditorium when a traveling entertainment troupe came to town, and the lower floor was one or two businesses. I can imagine the Opera House Billiard Hall that used this token being one of the main floor businesses. Many towns had an Opera House billiard or pool parlor or cigar store.

This token is probably from the midwest as the 2?? denomination was popular there. It was used to make proper change when items were priced at two for a quarter, the traditional price for a good cigar. Tokens like this were used ca. 1900-1930, with many examples earlier and later than that date range.

John in ID

 

[hoosier hunter]

Thank's for the information. I'm going to do some research on the town and see what I can find out.

Thank's, Hoosier Hunter..

 

[Siegfried Schlagrule]

if available check the city directory for 1900-1910-1920 for an opera house and the opera house billiard parlor. You may get lucky and maybe not. Tokens travel and were odten used as play coins by children. When they couldn't be redeeemed they were given to the kids and lost in play grounds. Ones from other places were never redeemable and were considered worthless even when the establishment was still open. exanimo, ss

 

[hoosier hunter]

Hi Siegfried,

I will check that out. Thank's

H.H.....