Rare Exonumia

Whitby

All-

As there has been a Miodern Rarities thread, I thought I would provide an instance of a rare exonumia piece. This is a rated an r-9, therarest being an r-10. This piece while NOT in great condition is virtually never on E bay, its an instance of finding a largere dealer in the area. Oh well, enjoy.

MrBreeze

Whitby,

What is that (to the uninitiated), and what was its use?

Thanks.

Whitby

<< <i>Whitby,

What is that (to the uninitiated), and what was its use?

Thanks. >>



Well, you asked. The coin/token I posted is known as coal scrip. Coal Scrip was a form of credit that was extended against a coal miners pay when times arose that the miner needed money, BUT had none in his pocket SO, the company store, minted (yes minted) and provided these coins to the miners. Despite the myth, i was very very rare to be paid in this form of token. Most of the time, it was die to the sheer poverty in the area that caused scrip to flourish. Pre 1950's, no easily accessible roads, a remote town, all of the essential ingredients fior enormous product mark up. Which, surprise, did occur.

The piece I posted is on a scale of 1 to 10 (increasing rarity) a 9 in rarity. Point of fact, it was the very first mining operation in a small coal town named Whitby WV. If you have the chance to go there, my website will provide you with directions. However, if you have ever been in a coal town when it was a viable workig town, bring a box of tissues, because you will cry.

Steve27

Here's mine, 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition so-called dollar HK408 (5-20 known):

Whitby

Thats a nice piece, where did you get it? I gave my mother a 100th anniv coin for Beckley WV, a similiar in idea only coin........

Steve27

" Thats a nice piece, where did you get it?"

Got it from an auction where the seller had a minimal description and poor quality pictures (intended to hide the damage). Lucky for me, I knew what it was.

Michigan

I have a West Virginia coal token that is an R-8.

Looked it up at a coin show from a book on a dealers table.

Whitby

<< <i>I have a West Virginia coal token that is an R-8.

Looked it up at a coin show from a book on a dealers table. >>



Do you know the town?