G. J. Pait, Mars Bluff S. Carolina 50c, aluminum, M/A, 2 grams, 31mm My interest in this particular token is the name of the town--Mars Bluff. Before there was Mars Bluff there was Marrs Bluff, situated on the Great Peedee River. Marrs Bluff is where the Gunship CSA Peedee was built. It launched in Jan. 1865 but was scuttled a month later to avoid capture by Sherman's forces. That was Marrs Bluff. Mars Bluff was 7 miles inland from the Peedee and where a railroad depot was built. Many businesses migrated from Marrs Bluff to Mars Bluff after the war. In 1958 Mars Bluff became famous when an Air Force B-47 accidentally dropped an atom bomb on them. Fortunately the war head was not attached to the bomb. However, the conventional explosives that would have detonated the warhead worked exceedingly well and left a crater that still exists today. To date G.J. Pait has not been identified. Tony Chibbaro believes it possible the tokens were meant for J.R. Pait, who operated a sawmill and general store and that the die sinker messed up the order. Sources: Tony Chibbaro: Numismatics of South Carolina Trade Tokens and also Wiki.
This is a Tombstone Arizona Token. Only locals can buy them for $2.00 and buy a beer with it. Tourists are paying $3.25 for their beer.
The field of American sales tax tokens, stamps etc can be divided into two sections. Those that have been issued in Ohio, and that has been issued in all other states. Blank reverse These are my first from Ohio came in a half sheet of items that will follow, that came from Akron Ohio.
That's interesting, Circus. I didn't realize that there were paper or cardboard tax tickets. I'm used to seeing the metallic or plastic ones. I have a few in my collection of exonumia but have never collected them serious. So I presume that Ohio has issued more tax tokens than anyone else? Bruce
Yes hundreds of different types and 3 main types privately-printed by the merchant punchcards in 3 types. For a long time. The second type were paper sales tax receipts as above. and the thrid is the larger one below this post. There is a caution in the US tax & stamp book that none are rare as there are a large number of them that were in hoards and held for a long time. I have one other cardboard one that looks like the old style milk bottle lid from Missouri.
Thanks, Circus. Now that you mention it, I recall having seen some of the round cardboard ones. Bruce
Blank revese other than the water mark all have staple holes in them as they were bundled in packs of 100 and stapled
Dog lisenses are among the off beat items that Alpert and Elman have listed in their tokens and medals book as exonumia From the Akron collection
What about cremation identification tags? I was given one by a friend, when we went to scatter his late wife's ashes on a river. It is kind of a spooky item, as it went through the fire with the body.
Yes, under section N of Miscellaneous Page 258 of Alpert and Elman book Prices may be out of date, still a great general reference
Some in the Angolan province of Cabinda seek independence. Their government in exile has issued various "coins", mostly aluminum, mostly picturing animals, quite available on eBay. Only one seems to picture an historical person: Dr. L.L. Zamenhof, the Lithuanian-Jewish inventor of the universal language Esperanto. Does anyone know why he is considered important to them?
This is exactly why I love this hobby . . . the history you learn can't be found in school text books. Thank you so much @longnine009.
My sentiments are the same as Mountain Man's. The interest level in tokens and exonumia is very high to me...much more so than with coins. Bruce
These are silver medallions of the people in book "Profiles in Courage". The author is in the middle (JFK). A friend of mine gave them to me.
I believe there is nothing on the reverse. That is a reflection on the front. Each of the nine 1-3/4" oval cameo portraits are shown in profile in solid sterling silver and weigh 500 grains each. The raised design of each cameo stands out in bold frosted relief against a brilliantly polished background.
Here's a couple of Tokens and exonumia items from years ago! I've posted the Dengremont Token before as there's an interesting history about this well known violin player from Brazil, see the link! I just realized, it's not the link I was looking for but it tells a little bit about him just the same! Darn, just realized the Miners Badge isn't mine but I place mine below in a new group! https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1880-violinist-maurice-dengremont-133994080