2 in 1

[animal]

I found these at an old house in dallas yesterday. I cant find any info on them. I figured ide give it to you wiz kids and see if you could help? Both came out of one hole and are in verry good condition. Any help would be apprieciated! Thanks

 

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[piratesgold]

I should start by telling you that I know nothing...


But "2.5 cents tokens" must date to the time that the US used "half cents" which hasn't been since, I believe, the 1840s -ish.

Hope that helps.
Lucky

 

[BuckleBoy]

Actually, the idea was a brilliant one--you bought something that cost 2 1/2 cents, and gave them a nickel.  They gave you back a token for the change--but the token could only be redeemed at their business.  So although you only wanted one thing, you ended up buying two--and then folks didn't always bring the tokens back in to redeem the other amount, so the businesses racked up even more. 


Pretty interesting scheme, which is mainly responsible for those fractions of a cent appearing on tokens.



I don't know anything about this token, but I thought I'd clarify the date range--Late 1800s/early 1900s. 



Regards,



Buckles

 

[John987]

Nice finds!
HH

John

 

[W57]

Possibly be connected, or have some relation to, Van Buren, Arkansas?

 

[ivan salis]

no money because his cash was most likely "company credits"-

- lots of folks in the old days worked at "company owned bussiness's towns "--which meant the company controlled their lives --- common with coal and tumber towns --- the company owned everything ***the company owned "your" home --a house you were forced to "rent" to get a job there --and you had to shop at the company owned store (which charged "inflated prices" -- money was company script and tokens -- you never got "real" cash thus you could not save up any money to move on and get away --(once in you were "trapped")

with the invention of the income tax the the US Govt -- told these slave driver companies that they had to pay their employees wages in cash money-- no more company money or chit wages --so that the workers could now pay the US Govt their income tax in "cash"------ the owners cleared their books the day before the law went into effect--- paying off all debts owed with "company" money --which they then refused to change into "real" money and they jacked the prices sky high in their store to redeem the company money for goods -- thus the workers had to pay their taxes with their "new cash money" while still being trapped with the old near useless company store money --many people in disgust slung the chits against the company store walls outside the stores and some even burnt some of the stores down at night in protest.(when no one could see em)

 

[CRUSADER]

Actually, the idea was a brilliant one--you bought something that cost 2 1/2 cents, and gave them a nickel. They gave you back a token for the change--but the token could only be redeemed at their business. So although you only wanted one thing, you ended up buying two--and then folks didn't always bring the tokens back in to redeem the other amount, so the businesses racked up even more.


Pretty interesting scheme, which is mainly responsible for those fractions of a cent appearing on tokens.



I don't know anything about this token, but I thought I'd clarify the date range--Late 1800s/early 1900s.



Regards,



Buckles

all this is reminiscent of the 17th century brass farthings we find in the UK. They were illegal but the Govt turned a blind eye (and even encouraged), as they couldn't afford to produce small change. They only difference with the above was that these tokens could only be used when you had a number of them, hence the expression 'its not worth a brass farthing'.

This thread includes some interesting snippets of social history which we never seem to learn from.

Long live capitalism

 

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

First off I wanted to thank Animal for sharing his cool finds, and the others for sharing info on "the company store" and stuff I didn't know. I love to read the posts on this site because I learn so much. To all -"Happy Hunting"

 

[STH69]

nice tokens

 

[johnnycat]

Sometimes tokens have a more interesting past than coins. WTG.

 

[mcmurphi]

Wow what an interesting thread of posts here about tokens, thanks animal for sharing your finds.

 

[crazyjarhead]

nice looking tokens. Love them all. There are so many varieties, shapes and sizes to be found. Your are really nice 2 1/2 cents. That's a good one in my book

 

[animal]

Thank all you guys for your responds and research. Some times i feel like when i post something some people would think oh hes waisting our time but time and time again you guys and gals respond with child like ( a smart child) interest and enthusiasm.I watched this site for a while be for ever posting and was impressed by all the quick Witt, the major research and knowledge from all you. All I can say is you guys rock! I recommend this site to anybody I talk to about treasure hunting or metal detectors and allways will! ROCK ON!

 

[allen]

this is a really informational thread about tokens !!

 

[maceman66]

The 2 and a half cent tokens are cool, in my area there were alot of pool halls that would charge 2 and half cents to rent a pool cue, you would give them a nickle and get a token in return to be used on your next visit!!

 

[ringfinder]

Very nice Finds, I always love to find tokens. They make for a good showing in a display case and some of them are very valuable.

HH, Ringfinder