TOKENS, MEDALS, AND OTHER NEAT STUFF!

STOCK & BOND CERTIFICATES HAVE MOVED TO THEIR OWN PAGE

 

RARE WOODEN MONEY FROM MEXICO

This wooden Hacienda token was issued by the Trancoso Hacienda in the 19th century.  The Trancoso was one of the largest and most important haciendas in Zacatecas state of Mexico. It was founded with Spanish land grants between 1670 and 1680 as a cattle ranch.  It covered over 55 square miles (145 sq.km.).  In the 19th century it became one of the largest wool exporters in Latin America. Like many haciendas of that era it a was engaged in wide range enterprises including growing grain, animal husbandry, a distillery and a church.  It fell on hard times after the 1910-1920 Mexican Revolution, resulting in violent conflicts between the owners and peasants. Eventually the land was expropriated and much of it given to families who lived on the Hacienda.  Today the municipality of Trancoso oversees what was the hacienda.   The church and the grand buildings that were part of the hacienda still stand, though many have been vandalized in recent years.  Most hacienda tokens are metal. This unusual piece was made of Mesquite wood.  It is about 26 to 28mm. One side is branded with Trancoso Hacienda's brand, the other side is blank.As was common for Hacienda tokens, it was denominated for a unit of work. This was for sheering one sheep.  Like many hacienda tokens, it circulated as money in the area.  It is an unusual and historic piece of money.  We also have a few much scarcer, slightly larger (28-30mm) tokens that are branded with a crude "5" on the back which were given for sheering five sheep.   

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ADMIRAL GRAU MONUMENT TOKEN FROM PERU

Admiral Miguel Grau is one of Peru's most honored heroes.  As captain of the Huáscar, during the War of The Pacific between Peru and Bolivia against Chile repeatedly attacked the vastly superior Chilean navy. He severely disrupted the Chilean lines of supply and communication, capturing or damaging a number of Chilean vessels. He was called the "Gentleman of the Seas" for his chivalrous treatment of his enemies.  He was killed in action and his ship captured in the Battle of Angamos on October 1879.  In 1934 Peru decided to build monuments to Grau in Lima and Piura, the city where he was born.  This copper 20 Centavos token was struck to help raise funds to build the monuments. The 20mm token features the arms of Peru and the legend "FONDOS PRO MONUMENTOS GRAU" (Money for Grau Monument). The other side features the denomination and the date October 8, 1935. 

Also see:
ADMIRAL GRAU ON PERUVIAN COINS:  6 COIN SET 5 CENTIMOS - 5 INTIS 1985-88

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PERUVIAN SILVER MEDAL CLAIMS PART OF CHILE!

Peruvian dictator Augusto Bernardino Leguia issued this silver medalette as part of Peru’s Fiestas Patrias Great Military Parade Day in 1925. The medalette calls for the return of El Morro Arica, which Peru lost to Chile, along with the surrounding territory, 45 years earlier in the War of the Pacific. Since then the two nations had numerous unfruitful negotiations over the status of the territories. Recovery of the lost territory had long been a rallying point for Peruvian politicians. The obverse depicts the coastal mountain El Morro Arica. It is the most recognizable landmark in the area. Above it is the legend “RECUPERAR EL MORRO” (Recover El Morro) and “A.B.LEGUIA”. . In exergue is the date of the event:“29 JULIO 1925” The reverse has the legend “JUNTA PATRIOTICA NACIONAL”. In 1929 the two nations finally came to a formal agreement, El Morro and Arica province remained part of Chile. The 22.8mm silver medal weighs 5.5 grams and was made with a small hole at the top in order to suspend it from a hanger or ribbon. The medalette is Uncirculated, though may show some slight friction or bag marks. It is an unusual and rarely seen piece.

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MYSTERIOUS OLD EGYPTIAN CAFE TOKEN FROM ALEXANDERIA

This mysterious, old cafe token was issued by G. Petros for the Café Espérance in Alexanderia, Egypt, probably sometime between World War I and World War II.  At the time Alexandria was a major cosmopolitan center, attracting traders, businessmen, and spies from throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The brass token has a scalloped edge and is denominated as "1",  but no-one is quite sure what the "1" signifies..  It could be one cup of coffee or tea.  If issued during the 1920’s might be 1 Millieme, which would have been useful to make change for small purchases.  On the other hand it is similar in size and shape to the 1 Piastre (10 Milliemes) coins of the 1930’s.  Either way, it is a scarce and interesting token from an intriguing location.

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MALACCA FIGHTING COCK TOKEN 

The origins of the cock or rooster token is a bit obscure.  The copper 1 Keping tokens were minted in England for merchants in Singapore for use in Malacca and other parts of Malaya.  The Standard Catalog of World Coins lists them under Malay Peninsula - Malacca, though other references sometimes catalog them under Singapore.  The obverse of the 21mm copper token features a fighting cock and the legend "the land of the Malays" in Malaysian.  The reverse has the denomination and the AH date 1247 which corresponds to 1831AD.  The tokens circulated widely around Singapore and Malaya until the introduction of Straits Settlements coinage in 1845. 

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RARE OTTOMAN EMPIRE CHRISTIAN CHURCH TOKEN

This very thin, uniface, brass token was struck by the St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Gelveri, Cappadocia (modern Güzelyurt, Turkey).  The 20 Para token is dated 1888.  The token was struck by the Cappadocian Greeks of central Anatolia to compensate for a shortage of low value coinage in the late Ottoman Empire. The name and location of the church is inscribed in the outer circle of the coin. The center includes the denomination "20" in both Latin and Arabic numerals.  A crude rendering of a dove is above and the date is below. In 1923, after the end of the Greco-Turkish war, the Greek Orthodox population of Gelveri were expelled from their homeland where they had lived for centuries and sent to Greece.  In exchange, Muslims, who had lived in Greece for centuries, were expelled and sent to Gelveri.  The church was then converted to a mosque.

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BREAD TOKEN FROM DOWN UNDER

This aluminum token was good for “One Loaf” of bread at  "A. Roderick’s Pioneer Bakery" in Pelaw Main, New South Wales, Australia.  The token was apparently used around the late 1920’s to early 1930’s.  At that time a 4 pound loaf of bread (about 2kg. – they had big loaves back then) sold for 4 to 5 pence.  Pelaw Main is a village that owes its origins to a nearby coal mine with the same name. The 27mm aluminum token was made with a center hole. 

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AMSTERDAM 700th ANNIVERSARY FLORIN

This 1 Florin token was issued in 1975 as part of Amsterdam's 700th Anniversary celebration.  . Amsterdam started as a fishing village around a dam in the Amstel river at the end of the 12th century.  One side of the 22mm copper-nickel token features the city's coat-of-arms.  The other has the legends "1275 1975 // MOKUM // 700 // FLORIJN" and the three crosses from city's arms. Mokum is a slang name for Amsterdam. 

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LEPER COLONY COINS FROM COLOMBIA

Leprosy was once a dreaded and incurable disease. Lepers were forced to live in remote, isolated colonies with virtually no contact with anyone, including family, from the outside world.   At one time it was feared that Leprosy could be spread by contamination of money.  In order to prevent this, Colombia issued special coins that circulated only within the three government run leper colonies: Agua de Dios, Caño de Loro and Contratación.  The coins all have similar designs featuring a large cross with the word “LAZARETO” (Leper) on one side and the denomination on the other.  We are pleased to offer you three of these scarce leper colony coins from Colombia: the brass 5 and 10 Centavos dated 1901, which were the world's first leper colony coins, and the copper-nickel 1921 2 Centavos.  It was later discovered that leprosy was not spread by money and the introduction of antibiotics made the leper colonies unnecessary.   The leper colonies were closed in the 1950’s and the tokens redeemed. Today most are quite scarce as few were saved.

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TEA STALL TOKEN FROM INDIA

One side of this unusual oblong 27.5mm x 17mm copper token has the legends "TEA STALL * H.M. * LTD. INDORE",  the other side depicts the number "4" on a teacup.  The token is attributed as a 4 Anna token issued by Hukumchand Mills in Indore, India.  The token was probably used in the company canteen sometime between the 1930’s and 1950’s.  Hukumchand Mills was a large cotton mill that went bankrupt and closed down in 1991, owing wages and benefits to some 6000 workers.  Since then the mill has been torn down. Attempts have been made to sell the land to provide funds to pay the workers, however disputes between various government agencies has prevented the sale of the land.  After 25 years, the workers have still not been paid and the case drags on in court.

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OLD TOKEN FROM SHANGHAI

Tong K. Wing, a merchant in Shanghai issued this 5 Jiao (50 Cents) token about 1920.  The 32mm aluminum token is believed to have been issued about 1920.  One side has legend “TONG K WING SHANGHAI, CHINA” and the numeral “5”  The other side has a floral pattern.  The coin grades XF for wear but has significant tarnish. 

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ISRAEL TELEPHONE TOKEN  

For many years, Israel required tokens to operate their public telephones.  The tokens made it easy to raise prices and helped cut down on slugs beings.  This Israeli telephone token, called an Asimon, was issued by the Israel Post.  One side is dated 1966 in Hebrew and has the world “telephone” in Hebrew and Arabic.  A deep slot and a center hole is incorporated into the token to prevent regular coins or slugs from being used in the telephone.  The other side features a telephone dial.

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400th ANNIVERSARY OF BERMUDA’S HOGGE MONEY

To honor the 400th anniversary of Bermuda’s Hogge Money, numismatist Mel Wacks produced this counterstamped 2016 United States Kennedy Half Dollar depicting a Hogge 6 Pence.  Hogge Money was the first coinage for any English-speaking region in the New World and is the first coin listed in the standard reference known as the "Red Book".  Hogge Money coins were made in London for use in the newly established Plantation of Somer Islands, now known as Bermuda.  The crudely made 2, 3, 6, and 12-pence coins were issued in 1616. The coins all depict a wild hog which was found in abundance on the island.   The pigs may have originally escaped from the shipwreck of Juan de Bermudez in 1532.  Only 200 counterstamped coins were produced.  Though they are almost as scarce as the original Hogge Money, they are a lot more affordable.  The counterstamped coin comes with a gift pouch and a descriptive Certificate of Authenticity.  Also available is a Bermuda cent which depicts the famous hog design on the reverse, and Queen Elizabeth on the obverse.

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SEX EUROS 

These fun fantasy coins are  well made spoofs on the Euro coin.  One side of the 32mm bimetallic "coin" depicts a couple enjoying each other.  The other side is based on the map of Europe design found on Euro coins, however the piece is denominated as "6 Sex Euros".  The rather unusual piece comes in a plastic capsule.  We can supply single Sex Euros, a set of 7 different (one for each day of the week?) or a set of 34 different (one for each day of the month and two on Sunday?).  Exact designs will be our choice.  They are fun pieces that can be used as a gag gift, in a bachelor party, or just an unusual bi-metallic to be added to your collection.

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THE HIGLEY SILVERS

In 1737 Dr. Samuel Higley, who owned a copper mine near Granbury Connecticut, set up a private mint and began to strike copper coins.  There are a number of varieties of his coins.  The initial issue had 3 hammers on the reverse and bore the denomination "3 PENCE".  Locals objected to him denominating his coin 3 Pence when it was the size of a copper half-penny, so he changed the inscriptions to "VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE" and "I AM GOOD COPPER". Another version of his coin displayed an ax on the reverse and the legend "I CUT MY WAY THROUGH".  All of the coins displayed a deer on the obverse. Today the original Higley copper coins bring many thousands of dollars. Recently Smallforest, a private mint in Oregon, struck two small undated silver coins that pay homage to the original Higley coppers.  The coins were overstruck by hand on Franklin Mint medalettes.  Some ghosting from the original medalette might be noticeable.  The 1 Tomahawk Doe pictures 1 tomahawk, is struck in sterling silver, has 1 gram of actual silver weight, has the legend "I AM GOOD SILVER" on the reverse and has a reeded edge. It has a mintage of less than 200 pieces.  The 2 Tomahawk Buck contains 1 Pennyweight of silver, portrays 2 tomahawks, has the legend "I CUT TO VALUE" and a plain edge.   It has a mintage of approximately 300 pieces. Like the Higley coppers the coins display a deer on the obverse; along with the legend "SMALLFOREST".

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COINS OF CASCADIA

The Cascadia independence movement encompasses the bioregion of the Pacific Northwest.  It incorporates all of or parts of southern Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Northern California.  The region has long had independence movements, going back to some of the earliest European settlers in the early 19th century.  Recently Smallforest, a private mint in Oregon, struck two small undated silver coins for Cascadia.  The undated coins follow the designs and format of the firms' previous Higley silver medalettes.  Both coins feature a deer on the obverse and the legend "CASCADIA".  The reverse of the 1 Tomahawk Doe pictures 1 tomahawk, is struck in sterling silver, has 1 gram of actual silver weight, has the legend "I AM GOOD SILVER" on the reverse and has a reeded edge.  The 2 Tomahawk Buck contains 1 Pennyweight of silver, portrays 2 tomahawks on the reverse, has the legend "I CUT TO VALUE" and a plain edge.  The coins were overstruck on Franklin Mint medalettes and some ghosting from the original design may be noticeable.  Though the coins are Uncirculated, they tend to be somewhat toned.

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OLD INDIAN TRADER TOKENS FROM MICHIGAN

William Shurtleff ran an Indian trading post in Cross Village, Michigan from 1893 until his death in 1904.  He spoke the Indian languages and did a thriving business trading general merchandise and grocery items such as flour, lard, salt pork, sugar, kerosene and tobacco for craft articles made by the local Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.  He then wholesaled the craft articles to tourist destinations such as Mackinaw Island, Atlantic City, and Saranac Lake.  Cross Village is located at the northern end of the lower Michigan peninsula.  He issued two sets of tokens for his store. The tokens had the denomination on one side and inscriptions on the other.  The first set consisted of a blue 5 cents, red 10 cents and yellow 25 cents cardboard tokens with the inscription "THIS CHECK IS GOOD FOR ___ IN GOODS AT THE STORE OF WILL M. SHURTLEFF, GENERAL MERCHANDISE, CROSS VILLAGE, MICH,". The cardboard tokens did not wear well, so a set of aluminum 5, 10 and 50 Cent tokens were issued.  They have the inscription "W.M. SHURTLEFF  THE HUSTLER  CROSS VILLAGE MICH."  We are pleased to offer both sets of these old, rare Michigan Indian trader tokens.

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INDIAN ON OAKLAND COUNTY MICHIGAN MEDAL

An Indian is featured on this attractive high relief bronze medal from Oakland County, Michigan. The county is located northwest of Detroit.  The medal was issued in 1970 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the county.  The reverse depicts the county seal which features an oak tree.   The 39 mm medal has an "antiqued" finish.  

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MULLIGAN MINT - AOCS 1 TROY OUNCE COPPER ROUNDS

The American Open Currency Standard (AOCS) and the closely related Mulligan Mint of Texas were libertarian oriented firms that encouraged alternative local monetary systems based on gold, silver and copper.  The creators of the AOCS decided to open their own mint, called the Mulligan Mint. It opened in 2012 and declared bankruptcy and closed in 2013 after a nasty dispute between two founders, the mysterious disappearance 71,473 ounces of silver and multiple lawsuits.  We have a selection of different of 1 avoirdupois ounce copper American Open Currency Standard medallions which were produced by AOCS or Mulligan Mint during its short-lived existence.  They were valued at "2 Units" each by AOCS standards, which was equivalent to 1 ounce of pure copper.   They are an interesting reminder of a failed alternative hard currency systems.

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ELONGATED CENTS

Elongated cents, or rolled cents, are a popular and inexpensive collectible.  Machines allowing visitors to make their own souvenir "stretched pennies" are available at many tourist sites. We recently acquired a hoard of elongated cents.  Most were issued for various coin shows.  Every lot is different, however there is much duplication between lots.

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TRUMP CURRENCY

Since his election various groups have issued high denomination fantasy notes picturing Trump.  For Trump haters we have a 4 Billion Dollars note that features un-flattering portraits of the President and political jokes.  For Trump lovers we have a 1 Million Dollars “Commander in Chief” note.  For the religious minded we have a 1 Billion Dollars “Make America Great Again - Repentance Note” with Bible verses on the back.  Notes are the size of U.S. currency. PM-TRUMP-REPENTx10 10 OF THE ABOVE TRUMP 1 BILLION DOLLARS BILLS $6.00