I DUG THE TOKENS YEARS AGO BUT THEY ARE WORTH A LOOK
I found the gold looking token in 1976, which is kind of a special date to find this type of token. When I first saw it I thought that I finely had found a $20 gold piece! The other tokens I found at a later date in the eighties but thought that you all might enjoy seeing them. I have never been able to find any data on the gold one. So if anyone knows about it please let me know.
Re: I DUG THE TOKENS YEARS AGO BUT THEY ARE WORTH A LOOK
As a collector of trade tokens (like the scalloped one you show), the other side (the "obverse" - usually has the name and hopefully the location of the business that used it) is the side of most interest. It always amazes me how many people think the denomination side (the "reverse") is the interesting part and that is the one they picture. If you look at tokens for sale on ePay, a lot of sellers do just the same.
John in ID
Re: I DUG THE TOKENS YEARS AGO BUT THEY ARE WORTH A LOOK
Jimb--
1. Is the name on the token in the pic with the Mackinac Island one James Costantino? I can't read it for sure.
2. Is the piece in the pic with the Mackinac Island one blank? I can't see that it says anything.
3. The Rambler Dollar was a 1960s promotion by American Motors.
4. The Dutch Canning one is from Cedar Grove, WI - listed in Johnson's Trade Tokens of Wisconsin book as 1908-1927. In the book there is a picture of the plant. The token is also listed as Maverick #276 in the Token and Medal Society.
5. The Golden Guernsey one is listed in Johnson's book as from Milwaukee. Milk checks were used by dairies when they were having a hard time getting people to return the empty bottles for reuse. Usually when a bottle of milk was purchased, the check was also given. Then when the bottle was returned with the token, the 5¢ deposit was paid. Using the tokens thwarted anyone who might think of swiping empties from the doorstep before the milkman came. Without the token, they couldn't turn in the bottle for the deposit.
Re: I DUG THE TOKENS YEARS AGO BUT THEY ARE WORTH A LOOK
John, you sure know your tokens! Thanks for the info! Yes you have the spelling right on the Mack Island. I also hope that no one was confused as to the way I put the pictures up. I did one side then fliped the token over and posted the other side beneath the first. The blank token is blank on both sides. I have more to post when I dig them out of storage. That is if anyone would care to see them.
Re: I DUG THE TOKENS YEARS AGO BUT THEY ARE WORTH A LOOK
I have a token very much like the scalloped one. But it is for another business. I guess there was some company that made these for lots of businesses back in those days. Mine can be seen a: http://tokens.historystreasure.com