The Purple Gang

This is a token from a group of mobsters from Chicago that was known as the Purple Gang. It is a casino chip with a value of $.50 which is on one side and the address of the establishment is on the other side.
There were all Jewish mobsters and they were ruthless. If you can name the crime, they were into or did it. Murder was a top priority so they would not be messed with. They were prominent in the 1920’s shortly after they were formed but broke up due to fighting amongst themselves in the early 1930’s. I believe a restaurant is now at this location.

 

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Interesting, so is this a gambling token or was it a storefront?

 

Thanks to Elvis Presley I've actually heard of them.

 

Cool!

 

Save that finger print. It might solve a cold case crime. LOL

 

Gambling

 

Forensics

 

I’m hiding this coin. Lol

 

Lol!

 

Lol

 

Purple Gang were actually a Detroit mob.

That's a cool piece, I didn't know illegal gambling houses would make and use tokens, and even put their address on it to boot!

 

I thought you started a thread on my Vikings, but they were called the Purple People Eaters. I digress. Carry on.

 

CN this token has a cool story. You do realize (Ihope you do) that almost every day you post something cool for us to see. It is very nice to me you share as you do, please continue.

 

Thank you so much. I try but can’t always come through. When I saw this all I could think about was the history of this token. It’s so plain and simple. A quick search of the Purple Gang will provide one with unbelievable information.

 

Strange, hard as I tried I could only find this address in Eastpoint, Michigan. Nothing comes up for Chicago.

 

Just do a Google search for The Purple Gang Chicago. It should come up.

 

I'm with @tommyc03 , I'm only seeing that they were based out of Detroit. They were allied with the Chicago gangs, though (Capone).

'Twas a good reading adventure, looking up info on this gang. Then I get sucked into the rabbit hole and I'm reading all sorts of mafia/mob/gang stuff.

 

As I mentioned above, the Purple Gang operated in Detroit, not Chicago.

A little google-fu found that the token is from an illegal operation on Gratiot Avenue that was known as the Chesterfield Club. the area used to be East Detroit but is now known as East Pointe.



There's an Olive Garden there now.

 

Sorry all, they operated in the Detroit, Muskegon area. They were associated with the Chicago mobsters.

 

Nothing to be sorry for, Dave. We should be thanking you. We all learned something from the token you shared. That is the best part of this hobby we enjoy, digging into the history of the pieces that we hold and collect. I knew nothing of the Purple Gang before today.