I'm trying to put together a complete set of all 12 states' sales Tokens from the 30's-60's (per Schimmel's varieties). Where can I find dealers who sell them ? I've gone the eBay/junkbox route and I'm down the the last 12-14 or so varieities like the rare New Mexico black fiber 5 mill, and they are hard to find. Anyone know any good exonumia dealers that would handle these? Kevin (Eldeaco) ANA # 175371
The rare varieties sometimes show up at coin shows (from dealers who specialize in tokens), but I've never met a shop based dealer who did much with them. Almost all of the ones I've found have come from junk boxes. I've been looking to learn a bit more about these - what reference work do you use for identifying varieties?
Have you tried the American Tax Token Society? You'll find these to be pretty difficult not only because they are so scarce but because there are very few collectors with whom to trade. I'd suggest that while you're working on your collection you also try to upgrade as much as possible. Almost all of these are common in AU and some are common in Unc but very very few are common in gem. These "coins" do not get the respect they deserve. They were issued by government as lawful money (but mainly to make change) and were used actually used as money. They are US coins but very few even care.
I have 1 for sale. Contact me. Its not cheap. https://picasaweb.google.com/Ripley44mag/AmericanCoins#5475796678904008546
My father saved a whole bunch of them in the 1930's and I put pictures of some of them on my website (below). See "State Sales Tax Tokens".
There are 2 that I use: United States Sales tax Tokens, Merlin Malehorn US State Sales Tax Tokens, Jerry Schimmel. I have the Schimmel booklet 2nd edition, 1980. The Malehorn book will cost $60 or so. ED
They aren't US coins because they weren't issued by the US government. They were issued by the state governments and they were issued as pre-paid tokens for use in making exact payment of the sales tax and to make change so the customer paid the exact amount. While there might have been some use of them as money they were not intended to be used that way. They never had any standing as lawful money.
