As is the case with most folks on these boards , I collect US type, raw and certified, with an emphasis on the best I can afford, but occasionally its good to broaded one's horizens and expand into some exonumia. Having said that, my exposure to tokens is very rudementary consisting of some NYC transit tokens and some gaming chips from Vegas. The stuff is fascinating anyway. Some folks say that its not really a coin or money unless issued by a sovereign nation like the US, France, or Russia. While technically true, tokens have value Somewhere at Sometime, and by Some authority, so I consider them money in the BROADEST term and many numismatists agree. Its fun really. -I was at a local dealers shop and encountered this token. You know the junkboxes with near dateless buffaloes that are $1 each all you can find along with other rejects. So I bought this token on a whim and would appreciate some help identifying it. - tried google to no avail. - am sorry for the poor photos on the cellphone camera. Its about the size of a nickel,grade is XFN composition is copper, plain edge, obverse states Boonton Hotel , Boonton NJ, reverse says Good for 5c in trade at bar. -I researched Boonton NJ on Wikipedia and found out that its a town of about 9000 people and has a median income of $80K, but at one time was very industrial with metal works and textile profuction. - am curious as to the age and value of the token, since 5c in 2010 money will only buy you a single peanut or pretzel at a bar, much less a 5c draft,lol. I gotta say that the best part of exonumia is the history that is thought provoking. Who held this token and what did it buy? Does anyone else feel the exonumismatic bug ,or is it just me?, thoughts?
I enjoy the exonumia phase of the hobby. It is a shame that the pictures aren't clearer. I am into CWT's Hard times tokens, and so-called $'s along with a bunch of other stuff.
I enjoy the civil war era tokens as well. I think my example falls into the merchant token category. I just wish I knew which regerence to buy or consult. I am interested in both the token's age and value. I am thinking its older than I am since I can't ever remember 5c purchasing anything at a bar. The cheapest jukebox prices that I can remember are 10c, same goes for video-poker and video games in such establishments. I hope there is a merchant token reference that takes us at least into the 1960's.
I enjoy the civil war era tokens as well. I think my example falls into the merchant token category. I just wish I knew which regerence to buy or consult. I am interested in both the token's age and value. I am thinking its older than I am since I can't ever remember 5c purchasing anything at a bar. The cheapest jukebox prices that I can remember are 10c, same goes for video-poker and video games in such establishments. I hope there is a merchant token reference that takes us at least into the 1960's.