Cool Old Cigar Token SF... Any ideas on its history??

turf_aholic

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Just some Guy

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Re: Cool Old Cigar Token SF... Any ideas on it's history??

Awesome Find!!!
 

ivan salis

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Re: Cool Old Cigar Token SF... Any ideas on it's history??

well a tip off as to when it was issued is in its value 6 1/4th cents -- when were cigars 4 for a quarter ? tokens heydays was the late 1880 thru 1930 era --that 50 year long peroid was the when most tokens were in commonly in use .--of course there were some earlier or later . -- remember that SF had the great eathquake and fire in 1906 -- many bussiness were wiped out by it --so they might not have survived the great fire --or might have started up after it as a "new" bussiness

ie buy 4 cigars for a quarter and they would give you a token for a "free" one for the next time you came in to get you to return and shop there --with the "token" in effect you got 5 cigars for a quarter --ie the days of the old "5 cent" cigar :wink: :thumbsup:
 

Mackaydon

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Re: Cool Old Cigar Token SF... Any ideas on it's history??

Interesting story here in the article regarding '65 Slot Machines Seized'. Appears that on Oct. 17th, 1908 Marx Bros. and Victor, a cigar store, was raided by the San Francisco police; 12 clerks were arrested and 16 machines were seized.
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066387/1908-10-18/ed-1/seq-37/
Don.........
 

ivan salis

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Re: Cool Old Cigar Token SF... Any ideas on it's history??

so post 1906 earthquake * -- so in bussiness 1908 (at least till they were most likely shut down for running a illegal gambling den . ) :thumbsup: great research mac AS USUAL.
 

Mackaydon

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Re: Cool Old Cigar Token SF... Any ideas on it's history??

I'm going to suggest the figure after the 6 1/4 is the abbreviation for 'inches' since cigars were marketed by the inch and ring band size (diameter in 64s of an inch).
Don.......
 

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turf_aholic

turf_aholic

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Re: Cool Old Cigar Token SF... Any ideas on it's history??

ivan salis... Great reply and many thanks for the info. Great to think about the pre/post earthquake history too.

Mackaydon... Gold freaking star for that reply! :headbang: I thought it was Mary Bros. until I read your reply. (yeah funny I thought that) Anyway great find on that article. (More impressive than the token find) Love that Chief Biggy and detective Kelly. Patrol wagons etc....

You guys hit one out of the park here for sure. Appreciate it!!!!
 

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