One of our wonderful guest speakers in 2019 was Rodger Hisken, who displayed part of his collection of metal and wooden trade tokens (also known as token coins) that were issued and used in the Colfax area.
Sometimes called “merchant tokens,” they were used to encourage repeat business by giving a customer a token that could only be redeemed with the merchant or business.
Rodger explained the history of tokens, illustrating his presentation with tokens from his personal collection and stories about the detective work involved in collecting and identifying them.
Before the meeting, and after his presentation, we were able to view his personal collection and ask questions. He also brought some of his reference books to help answer questions about tokens that attendees brought to the meeting.
During his presentation, Rodger shared large, color photographs of tokens in his collection, which were passed around and examined by the audience members.
At the end of the meeting, attendees received the handout Learning More About Collecting Tokens.
Rodger Hisken met with us in the Colfax Passenger Depot on March 30, 2019.
Some of the Businesses in Colfax that Used Tokens
A business in Colfax might have had only 100 tokens created. The tokens would be given to customers, and when they were redeemed, the business would give them out again to other customers. Total circulation would never surpass the 100 tokens that were created.
In Colfax, some of the local businesses and organizations that gave or used tokens were:
- Butler & Son Drug Store (which was located next to the present Colfax Market)
- Cortopassi & Son
- Cushen’s Cigar Store
- D and M Market
- Dingus McGee’s
- Gillen Hotel
- Hotel Marvin
- Parrott’s Country Store
- Petri & Lucchesi
- Shady Glen Inn
- The Masonic Lodge
Some history about tokens
Tokens are coins, but they are not legal tender coins, meaning they are not issued by a government authority and cannot be freely exchanged for goods other than those provided by the merchant or business that issued the token.
They are more varied in their shapes, sizes, images, wording, and overall design than government-issued coins.
Tokens usually display the name of the merchant or business that issued it and either the value of the token or information about its redemption value.
They are usually made either of cheaper metals than government-issued coins or of non-metal materials such as plastic.
During World War II, the Office of Price Administration (OPA) issued small vulcanized fiber tokens that were used to make change when people used their ration coupons. Vulcanized fiber is a plastic made from cellulose.
Two billion of the OPA tokens were issued. After the war, many of them were destroyed, but some are still available as collectibles.
Some tokens are issued by groups that use them to commemorate or recognize accomplishments, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
According to Collectors Weekly, “beginning in the mid-19th century, fraternal orders such as the Masons, Odd Fellows, Eagles, and Elks issued tokens that could be presented as proof of membership in the order (these are known as ‘mark pennies’), as souvenirs, and for gambling.” See “Fraternal and Masonic Tokens,” for information about the symbolism used on the tokens.
Tokens are also issued as souvenirs of locations and events.
Subway systems and game arcades still use tokens on a large scale. For the businesses, they provide several advantages: tokens can only be spent in the arcade or subway, theft is reduced because tokens aren’t as attractive as quarters or currency, tokens can be given to customers without giving them something they could spend elsewhere, and tokens are less likely to jam coin slots than coins are.