This is a genuine dynamite token. It’s from the C.C. & C. Co. Otherwise called The Colorado Coal and Coke Company from Cokedale, Colorado. It’s a brass token with the company’s initials on the obverse and on the reverse it reads ONE STICK POWDER. This is dated around 1910-1915, so over 100 years old. This one grades in the mid AU range.
Interesting. Do you know what the purpose was for the token? Did it have any purchasing power, or just a company advertisement? I like it.
I believe the company gave them out after purchasing so many sticks of dynamite. You could use it to get a free stick on your next visit.
Since it says one stick powder it was probably for black powder not dynamite (although I would be kind of surprised they would still be using black powder rather than dynamite at that period). They were used as an accounting method to control the distribution of the explosives. At many mines the person in charge of the blasting had to pay for the explosive themselves. (they were paid extra). They would buy what they needed from time to time for the near future but would receive tokens rather than distribute explosive that wouldn't be needed right away. Then as they were needed the blaster would exchange tokens for the needed explosives. if kept the explosive all in one location and under control rather than in the hands of the miners and stored who knows how.
