Trade Tokens

Tokens have been issued in every state in the Union and most territories before they achieved statehood. So, wherever you live, there is a specialty available in the tokens of one's own locality.

Tokens of the West were started simply due to the lack of coins. Prior to statehood, coins in the Montana Territory were scarce. With little or no protest from the federal government, private companies had tokens minted for them to be used for change. Tokens generally were not redeemable for cash, only credit for drinks, cigars, candy, and general merchandise. Additionally, tokens were used by company stores to extend credit to their employees, farmers, and ranchers. Generally, you could not spend it anywhere else but at the issuing merchant, and this guaranteed repeat customers. This was a general rule. Many businesses accepted other merchants' tokens. In many towns, local tokens were used as coins and were widely accepted.

The period of 1866 to about 1900 is referred to as the Saloon Token Era in the United States. Hundreds and hundreds of varieties were issued beginning about 1875. Montana Saloon tokens generally lasted until prohibition started, January 1, 1918. Prohibition in the rest of the U.S. started January 1, 1920. These are general dates because many counties or towns enacted their own prohibition laws locally prior to state or federal regulations. Saloon tokens have denominations such as 1 drink or 12 1/2 cents. These are highly sought after by many collectors, and are thus valued higher. For years, beer was 5? and a shot was 15? or 2 for 25?. When paying 25 cents for a shot, customers were often given the option of receiving 10? change or a 12 1/2? token. This gave the proprietor a chance to get some free advertising and, once again, guaranteed a repeat customer.

Types of companies that made used trade tokens:

Arcade / Amusement
Barbers, Billiard / Pool Hall
Bi-Metals
Buffets
Cigars / Segars
Bakeries
Confectionary / Candy / Sweets
Dairies / Creamery
Druggists
Hotels
Ingle System Manufacturer
Mercantiles / Merchandise
Saloons
Sample Rooms
Soft Drink Parlors
Smoke House / Shops
Trading Companies.

Where did the trade tokens end up at. That's the million dollar question. When businesses failed or traded owners, the original owner wanted to destroy the tokens so as they wouldn't be found and reused. Many went into the fire place. One common method was to throw the tokens into an outhouse. Many ended up in the bottom of the local river. In Butte Montana, one group ended up in a cement sidewalk. After many years, the sidewalk had to be removed and they were discovered. If you ever see a trade token from Butte, with small pieces of cement on it, its most likely from this hoard.

Where to find Trade Tokens. Coin shops, antiques stores, junk stores, private collectors; but nothing beats finding a lost token in the ground. Tokens are valued from $3.00 to over $5,000.00 each. The most valuable tokens generally come from small town that only had one merchant who issued tokens. Saloon and Territorial tokens are the most desirable and demand higher prices. Some of the tokens are valuable enough to be counterfeited. Small chance of that happening if you find one with your metal detector! .

Several guys were metal detecting in Gilmore Idaho. They found a poolhall token that was unlisted or unknown. That same day they found a Bannack Montana token. Last year a Montana token was found in Southern Nevada. These tokens did get around. Who knows what you will find where!

If you ever find a Montana token and need additional information on it go to: http://users.gobigwest.com/rmrubick/. This site has hundreds of Montana trade tokens pictures, contacts, and general information. Additionally a Montana Reference manual will be available soon. If you are lucky enough to dig an Idaho or Oregon token, the site also has links to Idaho and Oregon token web pages.

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 Loading ...YOU DID GOOD ROY i AM PROUD OF YOU YOU DO HAVE THE TOKENS I gave you in your collection don,t you??? I've seen mention of 'maverick' tokens, that do not list state information on the token. If the city is listed, but the state is not.. is it still a 'maverick'. Also, do you have any resources for getting info on maverick tokens (guides, etc)? I'm also curious.. are dates ever printed on tokens?

thanks
John

I've never spoken about a token until now. I love your website BTW. What a great name, Roy Rubick, any relationship to the Rubick's Cube?

Thanks much! ( Just a token of my appreciation)
M. Paul

John - A maverick is a token with no state or town. If the town is listed it is commonly referred to as a town token. TAMS (Token and Metal Society) doe have a maverick listing (it covers true mavericks and town tokens) available for members. However the numbers of mavericks with attribution is low. There are thousands which have been identified, but there is most likely thousands and thousands that don't have a positive identification (yet).

Everyone else ? thanks for the kind comments.

Great job on explaining the history of tokens. Keep up the good work and looking forward to more communication with you in the future. Roy, I didn't even think yuz could read, but now yuz done and proved me wrong again. Great Job!

Shifty

Dated tokens are very rare. There are several with dates though. What kind of information are you looking for in regards to tokens? Are you looking for history, or just dimension/denomination of tokens. I have a few Montana tokens. I've found a few advertisements in old newspapers with the token shop listed in the ad.

Derrick Murphy

Derrick, I have most of the tokens denominations listed and sized. I'm always looking for ads and history (and tokens not listed). Drop me an email with some specifics and I will add to the book. Thanks, Roy i found a token this past weekend. I was hunting in my town at a old house. The token was found in the front yard near the sidewalk.

It is a bus token. The buses stopped running in this town over 40 years ago. On one side it reads: M and B Transit Lines Inc Burlington NC. On the other side it reads: Good for one fare.

It was a big thrill to see it in the hole. By best find yet. Oh yea I started metal detecting last week, Beale.

i found a w.h. kruse in trade token has 50 on front and in trade on back with ingle system and pat. approved date any info on this would be great Sorry, I don't believe that it is Montana or Idaho, where I specialize on. I would recommend that you do a goggle search on Ingle system tokens. Good Luck, Roy found good for five cents in trade on obverse cent sign in 5 on reverse loftus poolhall please help me idetify i collect coal tokens-alabama,ohio,tennessee mainly! - basically any state except va., ky., wva., pa. would like to buy. if it is okay to comment as a buyer or trader, please include this in your comment section. i collect coal tokens! alabama,ohio,tennessee mainly! basically any state except va., ky., wva., pa. if it is okay to comment as a buyer or trader, please include this in your comment section. i believe the w.h. kruse token is from DUBUQUE, IA.
as listed in an iowa token book.
i have a trade token from L. Berwaldt for 50 pat. apr.7,1914 for the ingle system but i cant find it anywhere on the net....help please with anything you may have on it...origin,state,value...

thanks,
jason

i have a trade token from L. Berwaldt for 50 pat. apr.7,1914 for the ingle system but i cant find it anywhere on the net....help please with anything you may have on it...origin,state,value...

thanks,
jason

don't have anything on that one---l. berwaldt
it's listed in a ingle listing i have with no town or state.
mike I was metal detecting in my town of Rathdrum Idaho when I dug up a coin one side says: CLUB SALOON (then a three leaf clover) RATHDRUM IDAHO. Other side: GOOD FOR 25 (cents, I don't hace a cents key.) IN TRADE.

Any Information would be great?

Thank You,
Grandin
grandinsplace@hotmail.com

i am a metal detector live in alabama found a token today that said good for 2 12 in trade only on one side and 1817 jefferson saloon second ave. can some one tell me about it . i am a metal detector live in alabama found a token today that said good for 2 12 in trade only on one side and 1817 jefferson saloon second ave. can some one tell me about it . i am a metal detector live in alabama found a token today that said good for 2 12 in trade only on one side and 1817 jefferson saloon second ave. can some one tell me about it . i am a metal detector live in alabama found a token today that said good for 2 12 in trade only on one side and 1817 jefferson saloon second ave. can some one tell me about it . i am a metal detector live in alabama found a token today that said good for 2 1/2 in trade only on one side and 1817 jefferson saloon second ave. can some one tell me about it . By jason O., 01/07/2009
i have a trade token from L. Berwaldt for 50 pat. apr.7,1914 for the ingle system but i cant find it anywhere on the net....help please with anything you may have on it...origin,state,value...

i have a maverick listing that has winburne, pa as the location. sorry for taking so long to reply.
mike

the jefferson saloon token is listed from birmingham, ala. and references the alabama token book

and by the way jason i found the l. berwaldt token where i hadn't looked before...
mike

We have come across three of these coins. They state that they are from ingle system June 1909 for a ED. MANN from 501 Howard St. We have two 5's and a 10. Can anyone tell me what they might be worth.

Thanks

the ed mann tokens are saginaw, mich. says it was a grocer and meat.

the ingle system is the manufacturer of the token.

i collect tokens. always looking to buy or trade. i specialize in coal tokens.

i have a trade token one side says ingle system at bottom says april 7 1914 and the other side says andro bulno i was wondering if any one could help me finding out where it came from thank you the coin also says $1.00 cannot find any information on this coin found in ironton missouri i found a trade token and have looked everywhere possible for info on it,,,it has M.A. Hardin with 1.oo non transferable on one side the other ingles system pat april 7th 1914..any info as o the state or possiable worth is greatly appreciated. thx on zach's token. (andro bulno) i found it listed in bonne terre, MO as a grocer. it references a business listing 1914 dunn bradstreet.

mike w.

hey kita s.
i found your token listed from napier, TN as a general store. references from 1915 dunn business listing.
i would very much be interested in that token because it is from TN. please let me know if possible.

mike w.

hey mike w.
thx for the info. i would be interested in saleing the token if you would like i can send you pics of it and we can talk price and such. you can contact me at my e-mail loveclifton@mail.com. i look frward to hearing to hearing from you.

kita s.

Hi....

i have a trade token from M.PECH for 1 ,pat. apr.7,1914 for the ingle system, but i cant find information about it....who can help me please. I need to know origin, state and value.

Thanks!

hey Kx, i see the M.Pech ingle token listed as a grocer from Houston, Tx

mike

Hi everyone,

I am a fairly new token collector, having gotten interested in tokens after finding a few in my grandmother's home after she passed away. I do not wish to sell any of my tokens but I do have one that I am desperate to find out any information on. It has Melrose Welfare Ass'n Lynchburg, Va. on the obverse and 10 cents in merchandise on the reverse. I have googled the Melrose Welfare Ass'n as well as contacting the city of Lynchburg, Va. to ask for any information they had on the Melrose Welfare Ass'n. If anyone out there knows anything about this token please email me at scott_30_27288@yahoo.com and let me know. Thanks and God bless.

Scott.

Going through items from my Grandmother's estate I found a small coin collection, with dates ranging from 1880's to 1970's, but in the mix was a trade token, yellowish brass looking that says "Good For 12 1/2 In Trade" on one side and "F.A. Co." on the other. My Grandmother lived in Wisconsin, but I guess the token could be from anywhere. Appears from this article that it is a saloon token. Anyone have any information on this? Thanks! I have a token with. T. H. Turnage in trade only non transfer with ingle system pat apr. 7 1914. Anyone know anything about it? I have looked everywhere and havent had any luck. I am just a beginner and i can use all the info i can get. Thanks Wow! Amazing how long this comment thread is. I wanted to post this, and figured it would interest of all you! If you're into trade tokens... you have to check out the newly updated Token-Trade.com website (http://www.token-trade.com/). Find tokens on eBay broken down by states, categories, denomination, and great search functionality.

New updates for detectorbase coming soon as well!
DB

Hi, I was was looking for tokens in a small mining town in Utah and dug up a saloon token from Montana One side said good for one drink the other side said at the maverick saloon Harlem mont. I can,t find any information can you help?
Thanks, Glen I have what appears to be a $1 Ingle System token with J.I Hughes printed on the back. I have had no luck finding any reference to this type of token. I would appreciate any information anyone may have.
Thanks, Rachel. found a few of the tokens info.

john w. - F.A.Co. listed from Ft. Lewis, WA. some kind of military usage.
Rachel -J.I.Hughes, Adamay, KY
Shawna -T.H.Turnage, Elbridge, TN.
Glen-any token with the word saloon on it would do well on ebay. condition matters a lot.
I collect tokens from the coal mines, lumber companies, and southern states merchant tokens. always interested-especially TN!
collecttokens@gmail.com
mike w.

Ingle is the token manufacturer. patent dates '09, '14, '19

mike w.

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