Need help with a i.d.

fishstick · Nov 22, 2012

I found this token in IND. Any ideas?

idahotokens · Nov 22, 2012

FS - unfortunately, maverick tokens with just initials are almost impossible to prove where they came from, let alone get possibilities. Some guy with initials A. R. S. probably ran a pool hall or saloon ca. 1895-1905 and used these in his business. Even if we assume it came from an Indiana business, there are probably a hundred people who had those initials in that decade, and figuring which is a daunting task. Old directories, census images, and newspapers are the sources for names, but...

I don't find it in either the IN Trade Token book, the updates to it, or Richard's Token Database - TokenCatalog.com but you might consider posting it to the latter and hope that someone can help.

John in the Great 208

fishstick · Nov 23, 2012

IT, Thanx for goin threw the trouble and help with it. Im not all that on a computer so postin it somewhere elsewood take my sisters doin. I no I no, sad but true. I thgt it was strange only sayin 5 in trade and not cents or drink or game. Thanx again.. HH

idahotokens · Nov 23, 2012

FS--Quite often there were local laws against gambling, so there are a lot of tokens without the ¢ sign. The thought was that if the sheriff raided the place, he might be able to be convinced that they were not "gambling for money" - the tokens were not good for cash, so they were just like poker chips. That worked in some cases, I suppose, but it was tried in a lot more. The fact remained, though, that the token was good for 5¢ in the business.
John in the Great 208