I received this interesting little item yesterday from Canada: Obverse: MIRACLE SYSTEM LUCKY PIECE GUARANTEED TURF PROFITS EASY FOR PLAYER - HARD FOR LAYER Horseshoe, man on horse Reverse: M.P. WALTER & CO. THE ACTUAL "HOW" P.O. BOX 40A TOWSON, MD. (Maryland) CORRESPONDENCE INVITED. INQUIRE TODAY - AND MAKE YOUR BOOKIE OBEY. Metal: Aluminum Size: 32mm Weight: 2.21gm It must be pretty old judging from the slang like "bookie" and "layer". Added: Mr. Walter wrote a book about his system in 1930: Title: The $5,000 Challenge System: World's Greatest Turf Investment Method Author: M.P. Walter & Company Publisher: M.P. Walter & Company, 1930 Length: 30 pages I think that I will go out to the track.
Maybe quite old, but don't judge by the vernacular. Those terms are still used today, and they still mean the same thing. A "layer" is a bookie that, having taken bets he cannot cover, lays them off, essentially making those same bets with another bookie that can cover them. BTW, a nice token.
I found this article on the subject. Seems that the token predates 1924. Racing Needs a Commissioner, 1927
Is the Walter Montague in the "Racing Needs a Commissioner" article the same Walter on the coin? There were probably a lot of guys selling "miracle systems" to bet the horses.
Nice coin. I have a great tip on horse racing and the Bettor. Pick your own horse. Never bet on the favorite. That is an subjective opinion of a 3rd party. Sounds like something else in this hobby huh!
