This is a brass Coney Island token denominated at "5". The die sinker's name and address is at the bottom on the back: "Jas. Murdock, Jr., 165 Race St., Cin., O." I'm guessing late 19th century, but that is all I got on this one. Any help IDing would be appreciated.
It's from the "Coney Island" that used to be in Cincinnati, Ohio. You probly figured that out though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island,_Cincinnati http://history.amusement-parks.com/ohioconey.htm
Coney Island of the West. Who knew? My own heritage is linked to the original Coney Island, where I still have a few relatives living nearby. Thanx! Here's the rest of the story from a responder: "It's in the big Rulau Standard Catalog of United States Tokens 1700-1900, 4th edition, under Cincinnati, p. 1053. Catalog number is Cin 25, fabric is brass, diameter is 22mm, and the date is given as 1885. Valued at $7.50 in VF. An additional catalog reference is given as Lipscomb CI 1630 (I'm unfamiliar with that catalog). There's also Cin 26, Lipscomb 1635, identical except in copper-nickel, valued the same as the previous. Evidently there is also a "10" token as well as one that is undenominated."
What edix reported matches Rulau's catalog, but Rulau is both in err and incomplete. From the color of the token in the picture, I agree with the Rulau Cin25 and Lipscomb CI1630 identification. I have seen where copper-nickel on occasion can have a strong resemblance to brass in color. Your token also has "."s after "JR" and "O" that are not mentioned in Lipscomb's listing (Rulau's description matches Lipscomb's). You may have an unlisted variety (very possible since Lipscomb estimates that his 761 page book is only about 40% complete), or it may have been an error in the listing description. Either is likely. Lipscomb's desirability rating goes from 1 (not desirable) to 99 (most desirable). I have hundreds of Ohio tokens (my home state), and my highest rated token is only a 16. A rating of 20 is the highest that I have ever seen on ebay. MO is that ratings of 1 thru 4 are rather common, above that, the token is desirable, and typically commands a premium. Tokens with ratings above 12 are seldom offered on ebay. Hopefully that will provide at least a crude perspective on that rating system. From Lipscomb's Ohio Merchant Tokens, 2nd edition: CI1630 - CONEY / 5 / ISLAND // 5 (in circle of 16 stars) / JAS. MURDOCK, JR 165 RACE ST CIN. O This token is round, metal is brass, diameter is 22mm, plain edge This token has a desirability rating of 8. Rulau id Cin25 CI1631 - same as above, but copper-nickel This token has a desirability rating of 8. Rulau id Cin26 (mistakingly equated as Lipscomb CI1635) CI1635 - CONEY / 10 / ISLAND / MURDOCK (vertically on left side) / 165 RACE ST. (on right side) // 10 (in circle of 16 stars) This token is octogon, metal is brass, diameter is 19mm, plain edge This token has a desirability rating of 10. Rulau did not list this token CI1636 - CONEY / 10 / ISLAND / MURDOCK (vertically on left side) / 165 RACE ST. (on right side) // 10 (in circle of 8 stars) (2 holes) This token is round, metal is brass, diameter is 19mm, plain edge This token has a desirability rating of 6. Rulau Cin27 (mistakingly equated as Lipscomb CI1640) CI1640 - No such listing in Lipscomb. CI1645 - CONEY / ISLAND / TOKEN // (wreath) This token is round, metal is brass, diameter is 21mm This token has a desirability rating of 4. Rulau id Cin28
Thanx for the further info. Very educational. You may also notice in the scan that there is a nice die break on the reverse from the rim at about 12:30 between the stars that extends to the top right hand side of the numeral 5.
I forgot to mention that at first, I thought your token was missing the "165" from the address, but it is there ever so faintly. Jas. Murdock, Jr. made tokens in Ohio from 1870 until 1916, and was at the 165 Race St. address between 1875 and 1887.
You are very welcome, edix. I had not noticed the die break earlier, it blends into the background fairly well.
Yes, I was able to read the 165 address on the actual token. That is how I began researching it online, with the name and address. Thanx again!
