GTG a Oversized 1882 John Matthews Soda Water Token!

Here's a soda water token, honestly I'm not sure what it was used for as it's way too big to be a regular advertising token. Anyways, details grade for the rim damage but please tell me what you think as a grade? Diameter is 46.2mm and thickness is a 1/4", much bigger than a regular John Matthews token, which I'll post pics a bit later!

 

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I will say VF details, Cool Token!

 

That doesn't look like a merchant token or even an advertising token. If he is advertising for soda water why doesn't it say so?

Seems more likely to be some kind of medal.
Nice color. Too bad about the edge dings. I didn't see any wear. The large size also means more stress on the dies and then more costs if a die break. Merchants want cheap tokens that convey their message. If that's a merchant token I'm curious how long he was in business.

 

I agree.

 

I agree but not knowing what it was made for I was limited on what to call it, here's a pic of their regular advertising token, size is 27.9mm! So care to guess on a grade?

 

I would guess VF20 for that one.

 

I wonder how many of those large ones were actually struck. Or were they struck? It's hard to believe the dies could survive very long with something that big and 1/4 inch thick.

 

Yeah it's an amazing piece and this John Matthews guy lived a famous life as the soda fountain king, here's another token and some pics about him! His monument is super bada$$!

John Matthews, the soda fountain king, and his legacy
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John Matthews (1808–1870) trained in the “art and science of carbonation” before emigrating from England to the U.S., where he became known as the “Soda Fountain King.”

In 1832, he patented a countertop device that made carbonated water easy, affordable, and widely available, helping turn soda from a novelty into an everyday pleasure. He also introduced some of the first flavorings, shaping the future of soft drinks as we know them. By the time of his death, more than 500 New York City establishments were using his inventions.
His monument at Green-Wood, which was sculpted by Karl Muller, is crowned with gargoyles and a menagerie of animals, reflects that legacy. You can find the Gothic masterpiece at the intersection of Valley and Walnut Avenues (Lot 1345, Section 61), near Valley Water.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/grave-of-john-matthew-the-soda-fountain-king

 

Classic ID.

 

I’d say details but with a grade of XF-40.

 

Yes looks struck to me and although I don't know how many were struck, I've never come across another, maybe mine is the sole survivor, that's my hope!

 

The sharpness is AU, but the significant rim issues knock it down the VF range for a new grade. I wrote an article about Mathews for Civil War Token Society magazine, many years ago. He did issue a Civil War token.

His soda fountains were very elaborate. I had understood that his grave was very fancy, but I had never seen a picture of it. Thank you @fretboard for posting a photo of it.

 

Here is an example of the John Mathews Civil War token. I only had one of these pieces for sale when I was dealer. Believe it or not, it was a slow seller.

 

It shouldn't be an advertising token but 1882 was the 50th anniversary and there was a 50 year commemorative medal struck by his heirs (evidently matthews died in 1870) https://www.numismaticmall.com/ency...ic-philatelic-biographies/matthews-john-henry so I think this was another medal for that year (50th anniversary of the soda fountain)

 

Yep but if you were selling today, depending on the price it would sell quickly, maybe on ebay, that's where I got mine!

 

I sold a several thousand Civil War tokens when was a dealer. I used to have at least three or four pieces in inventory at every show.

 

Yep, that explains your extensive collection I admire so much!

 

It’s not that extensive. It’s only about 300 pieces. The really serious collections have reached 5,500 varieties. Cindy Wobeker (sp), who used to chair the FUN shows, had that many. She sold her collection via the late Steve Tannenbaum. Some of my best pieces came from her collection through Steve.

Dave Bowers tried to assemble a complete set, over 10,000 pieces, which he sold through over time. Many of them are certified, and his past ownership is noted on the slabs.

 

I'm thinking maybe XF details. I've never seen that token before, and it's definitely interesting.

I take it they sold really well at shows? They seem to garner interest any time I have them at a show, and sometimes when I look around, usually several dealers have at least one for sale.

 

My token sales usually covered the table rent and then some.

This is the most radical increase in Civil War token prices of which I know. When I was selling CWTs 25 years years ago, this token sold for $125 to $150. Now they consistently bring over $3,000. It's because of the humorous "Good for a Scent" pun.