I broke down & paid the dealer’s price for this Connecticut storecard and bought a couple more good tokens in the lot. This first storecard is the Higley - Granby token which I posted last week. It is mine now. I’m thinking it is white metal or plated & not necessarily the silver version. 20 examples were produced in silver and 150 examples were each produced in brass, copper, nickel, plated and tin. I suppose that a specific gravity test may be in order for this one to determine its composition. This is a numismatist’s storecard. (obv) Valve Me As You Please (rev) Alfred S Robinson Banker Numismatist & Notary Public Dealer in Stocks, Bonds, Notes Land Warrants, Uncurrent Money & all kinds of American & Foreign Specie Hartford Conn. 1861 Rulau CtHa 15 Miller Conn 10.
This second token is not a Civil War Storecard. It is a token from Canada. The obverse reads “Ships, Colonies, & Commerce”. I looked it up in the Charlton Token book. Apparently, this one has the common “&” but it is in really nice condition. I grade it AU. This dealer has dozens of high grade Canada tokens but I am far from being an expert on them. If any of you guys are interested, then I can introduce you to the dealer (and all his Canada tokens) via PM.
J. A. Bolen, 1865 This third token commemorates the man that made the dies for many of the old tokens and storecards. This piece has the appearance of (copper) although the Rulau catalog specifies (oroide) for this 1865 dated piece. Only 50 struck. The die sinker is J. A. Bolen and here is his storecard: (obv) J. A. Bolen, 1865. (rev) Die Sinker & C. Springfield Mass B Rulau Ma-Sp 34 Miller Mass #109
Lastly, we have an R-1 common copper Alden & Frink storecard which includes the Indian cent design. (obv) Alden & Frink 1863 (rev) Merchants 40 Mohawk St Cohoes NY Fuld-NY-140A
Beautiful tokens Collect89. The Alden & Frink piece is particularly attractive. I love collecting tokens, because there are enough different types and varieties to interest almost anyone. The whole series of Patriotics and Store Cards from the Civil War are especially interesting to me, as are counterstamps from the 19th Century. Congrats on some very nice pieces. Bruce
I save the Patriotics. I have about 15 or so with grades of XF and up. I am in the market for a few store card tokens from Illinois and Wisconsin but certain cities within. Does this dealer have anything of interest there and does he have a site for his listings? I find them from time to time, but there is always the issue of price verses quality. Most of the time it's damage or wear which causes me to pass them by or stop bidding.
Most of the tokens in this lot are from NY, NJ, CT, & MA. I helped value the entire lot of tokens which is why I know it includes only two tokens from Illinois: #1 (obv) Plane & Jennison Belvidere Illinois (rev) Dealers in Hardware Iron & Stoves Material: Brass Rulau: Miller Ill 3 The obverse depicts an anvil with the text surrounding it. The reverse depicts a cooking/heating stove surrounded by the text. #2 (obv) Pearson & Dana Boots & Shoes (rev) Wholesale & Retail 184 Lake St Chicago ILL Rulau: Miller Ill 25 Both of these Illinois tokens are probably in the range of $20 each. I’m not selling them but I’ll gladly put you in touch with the dealer directly if you send me a PM.
Steve Hayden is a huge dealer in quality Civil War tokens guys if you're not familiar with him.. I've been buying tokens in general from him for quite a few years and have always been happy with his selection and service. He has a website (www.civilwartokens.com), sells on e-bay, and is always at all the major coin shows. You might want to check him out. Bruce
Bruce; I see he has a table at the upcoming ANA Convention in Chicago. I'll contact him with a list of cities I'm looking for. There are four cities each from Wisconsin and Illinois. I'll do this a little closer to the convention date. I'll ask him to bring what he has with him. You obviously feel confident about him, so I feel that's one "plus" already before I start. Thanks for the heads-up and the lead.
I forgot to mention that he also conducts mail bid sales a few times each year saltysam. He hasn't had one recently, but when I spoke to him at the last Baltimore show he said probably sometime this summer. Check his website for his show and mail bid sale schedules. Let me know how you make out. Bruce
