Token Identity And Error Help

USSID17

I "think" this is some type of token. No idea what it is or where it comes from. I got it in a zip lock baggy of random coins, as a coin club door prize several years ago.

Not that it would be worth it but would a TPG'er attribute it?

seanq

That is pretty cool, I think I see at least two distinct undertypes as well. Makes me wonder if this was used by the token manufacturer as a test planchet for multiple sets of dies.

I don't know of any attribution guide for commercial tokens like this, but that doesn't mean one doesn't exist. It would be kind of cool to identify the different designs and see if they track back to a single die maker.

Sean Reynolds

tokenpro

What it is is an amusement token from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area -- to be more specific it is a pinball token from the 1930's when the pinball craze swept through the Twin Cities. The pinball machines of the era paid out in tokens which also just happened to work in the other trade stimulators (think slot machines) in the bar, cafe or other business. There was a running battle between the game operators, the local law and the state legislature creating and avoiding laws, ordinances and enforcement of the same.

Most of the tokens were struck by either Northwest Stamp Works or St. Paul Stamp Works although only a few were signed. Most of the tokens struck after the first few months don't have a business name but rather just initials or the # from a street address, again to avoid enforcement by the authorities (although all the people using the tokens knew where they came from). You are correct in surmising that this token with the multiple strikes was a set up piece for the die sinker - a can of tokens was kept by the press for just that purpose. In some cases tokens were overstruck when plain planchets weren't available - probably 5-10% of the tokens found will be overstruck. Many tons of confiscated tokens were dumped into the Mississippi River along with the slots that were discovered in raids. The pinball machines weren't touched & the craze eventually faded away.

This series of tokens are cataloged by Steve Alpert & Ken Smith in their work on Amusement Tokens Of The United States (not the exact title, I'm on the road sans library). Many are identified as to location (Smith was originally from Minneapolis) but a large number are still unidentified (cataloged as 992 #s). Previously the authors had published a first attempt at a catalog as a supplement to the TAMS Journal. The value of individual pieces is minimal with just a couple exceptions.

coinsarefun

@tokenpro this forum is lucky that you stumbled upon our humble spot on the internet!
I knew you would be coming along and give us detailed knowledge

CaptHenway

I read something somewhere which stated that during WW2 when metal was scarce the pinball machine token manufacturers would recycle older obsolete tokens without bothering to melt them down and make new blanks first.

ricko

Interesting... Years ago, I had several business acquaintances that were 'pinball nuts'... and on business trips, they would have a bag or two of quarters. Then, right after work, they would head for pin ball arcades. I had other interests Cheers, RickO

USSID17

Thanks to each of you for your feedback!

tokenpro- I think I found the go-to guy!! Thank you for that history lesson!.. Amazing!

I was doing some on-line research, not much out there. However, I found this site and I was getting ready to contact them.... No need to now.

http://tokencatalog.com/index.php

USSID17

With additional research and a little help from a friend, we came up with this as well. These could possibly be the multiple strike/dies used on this token.