¼ & ½ Cord of wood tokens?

[oddcoins]

Hi there,

I recently made a trade deal with a metal detectorist out of Michigan. I traded him a handful of silver coins for some tokens, dog tags, and other exonumia items.

I am having a hard time identifying these two tokens though. They are good for ¼ Cord of wood and ½ Cord of wood. The guy I get them from stated that he found them in Mendon Michigan. The ¼ Cord of wood token measures 24 millimeters in diameter. And the ½ Cord of wood token measures 27 milimeters. The other side of the token reads "ENG GR & IRR 16".

Does anyone know where these tokens are from? How old are these tokens? Any info would be great!

Thank you,
Neil

 

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[jeff of pa]

I may Be Wrong on this, But I Do not think they are "Good For Wood Tokens"

I think they are "Good For Payment for Wood Tokens" Given to the Person who Supplied 1/4 Cord of wood.


Prior to the easy availability of coal, rail and ship transport in North America was powered largely by chopped wood. Up until 1870 most railway locomotives in the United States ran on wood.

GR & IRR

Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad

I'm also thinking "ENG GR & IRR 16" is Engine 16

 

[jeff of pa]

an example Used on T&P engine #85 to obtain 1/2 cord of wood. Because of the threat of train robberies, tokens were given to local merchants instead of cash. At a later time, the merchant was reimbursed by a railroad representative who would "buy back" the token at the cost of the wood.

Tokens were made in 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 cord denominations.



Railroadiana - Miscellany - Wood Token (reverse) | The Texas & Pacific Railway - Railfans Depot

 

[jeff of pa]

Google Images of

cord wood token

https://www.google.com/search?q=cor...KHezDAc4Q9QEwAXoECAEQLA#imgrc=9DrPWM0h2V8uHM:

 

[idahotokens]

Many issues of the Journal of the Token and Medal Society are online and there is a good article describing cordwood tokens, and these in particular, at https://archive.org/details/tamsjournal28n6toke

John in the Great 208

 

[oddcoins]

YEAH! Such great info! THANK YOU so much! WOOHOO

 

[oddcoins]

YEAH! Such great info! THANK YOU so much! WOOHOO