Hey Y'all I have been collecting Tax Tokens for a while now and have come across this one...does anybody know what this would be worth if anything?? It looks like it had a Lamination before striking... Thanks Speedy
Certainly an interesting error, but unfortunately, most errors do not add any significant value to tokens in general. IMO, errors are much more common on tokens than regular coinage as well. Since you have been collecting tax tokens for a while, do you have any (good) reference books on the subject? If not, I would recommend "United States Sales Tax Tokens and Stamps: A History and Catalog" by Merlin K. Malehorn and Tim Davenport, 1993 (hardback, 390 pages). I have several other smaller softback books on the subject, but this one is by far the best of what I have seen. Your token id in the above mentioned book is Arizona S2, rarity R-1 (over 5,000 known). There are at least 13 die varieties just on the obverse, in addition to strike variantions of thick letters + rounded numeral vs. thin letters + flat numeral on the reverse. The only book I have with a value is a rather outdated one. "U.S. State-Issued Sales Tax Tokens" by Jerry F. Schimmel, 1980. In this book, the id number is AZ--5. Value in VF thru AU is at .25, Unc is at .75. If you do not have the recommended book, I can relate some interesting history about Arizona tax tokens if you would like. If you wish to sell yours before the price goes down, do so before the year 2012, when many more of these tokens are to be released from storage (in commemoration of the centenary of statehood) by a Gordon L. Jones, who in May, 1965 bought Arizona's remaining stockpile of 5.6 TONS of tokens (for $2,300). There is more to the story.
Thanks a lot---I bought a lot of Tax Tokens on ebay for cheap and this one came with them...I also have found a few BU AZ Taz Tokens too. I have one more question...I have a AZ 1 Tax Token...its smaller than a dime but I have them in three metal--one is copper the other looks like silver and the last one is black...why is there three types.. Also I haven't gotten a book yet--I have looked and saw the one you said so I'll keep looking for it.... Thanks Speedy
There are 4 metals listed for the 1 mill denomination. S1 - copper (with some nickel and zinc) - R1, two varieties (with and w/o shading lines behind the motto), 1937-1940, mintage 7,500,000. S3 - aluminum -R1, same varieties as S1, 1939-1940, mintage 4,000,000 S4 - zinc - R1, same varieties as S1, 1941-1942, mintage 2,200,000 S5 - brass - R1, same varieties as S1 plus one where all of the sun's rays point to the sun (none touch the hills), 1945-1946, mintage 2,100,000 All 4 of these tokens were produced by the Osbourne Register Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. Your black token would be the S4. I am guessing that the "silver" one is the S3. The arrival of tax tokens in Arizona happened at a rather fast pace. The bill authorizing the use of tax tokens became law on June 12, 1937. Bids were received from more than a dozen companies by June 24, 1937. The initial order was for 5 million tokens, made of copper, and in the ratio of 4 one mill tokens for each 5 mill token. Distribution of these tokens was scheduled to be done by August 1, 1937. The first tokens were made from a nickel-brass alloy and 95% Arizona copper from the Magma, Miami and Phelps Dodge mines. Token usage started on September 1, 1937. Within three days, the entire supply of tokens was used, resulting in an immediate second order for another 5 million pieces. Merchants, cashiers and patrons were not receptive to this program, complaining about the extra denominations to carry/use, as well as a slowing down of the time required to perform a transaction. During the time of copper token production, Arizona also began production of the aluminum tokens, although the exact reason for the change is not known. Likely the metal was changed because aluminum tokens would have been less expensive to produce. During WWII, aluminum and copper were needed in the war effort, so became difficult to obtain. The metal was then changed to zinc. In 1942, zinc was classified as a scarce war material, so Arizona ceased production of tokens for the remainder of the war. While some states turned to cardboard, celluloid or other materials, Arizona never issued any non-metal tax tokens. After the war, Arizona turned to brass as the metal of choice for their tax tokens. State officials greatly overestimated the demand for these tokens in the post war times. The usage of fractions of a cent became burdensome to those living in this prospering era. Additionally, Arizona law allowed for the tax to be incorporated in the selling price, numbering the days of token usage. A 1952 letter from the State Tax Commission indicates that the token system was no longer being used by the general public, even though the law allowing for them still was on the books as well as a stockpile on hand of millions of tax tokens. The Arizona tax token system was dismantled in 1954.
Is anyone familiar with the expired tax token site of Bobs Coins.com? http://www.bobscoins.com/taxtoken.htm It had an extensive online reference list of state tax tokens. Is there a new location for that site or is there any other comparable online list or reference?
No I hadn't seen that one---wish I would have before it went off...he might have forgotten to pay for his server space... Speedy
First, welcome to the neighborhood, Elmer! You do realize that this thread is more than 16 years old, don't you? It might be best if you start your own thread in the "What's it Worth" forum and be sure to include photos.
