General Motors-Dayton-George Washington-Token-Medal

mrearlygold

Is it ok to post this one here?

Somebody sent me a couple of these tokens. Does anyone know anything about them? While I've been interested in GM Roller Press "cents" for a long time and even own a few, I'm not familiar with these at all and even a rudimentary search on the net only comes up with the present piece, ( thank you Teletrade ).

Mintage known? Are they all gilt ? All circulated? Anyone know what GM was producing in Dayton Ohio when this medal was made? What was it made for? Any information would be appreciated.

Medal 1960 OH B-747 General Motors, Dayton NGC 55 Gilt Bronze
Lot 2135, Sale 2775

BillyKingsley

Having the Dayton plant on there so boldly called out leads me to believe that this was likely an award given to workers at the Dayton plant, perhaps for exemplory service or longevity. I'll do some research to find out what was produced there in the 1960s.

mrearlygold

The mystery medals

cladking

I can't tell you much about it except that it's a fairly common medal. I associate it
very strongly with GM's celebration of 50,000,000th car which was actually in 1954.
There's no good reason to believe it's related to this massive series though since it
shares no reverses or obverses with the other issues. It's a little smaller than that
series as well. These are often seen together with those however so they might have
had a similar distribution.

There was also a GM Motorama in 1955 and these issues are diverse and overlap
the 1954 issues quite a bit.

The size and composition is identical to Chevy medal but it's, unfortunately, undated as
well. This series of three medals appears to span a number of years from the late-'40's
to as late (as possibly) the early '60's. None are identified unfortunately but look like
Greenduck is the most likely manufacturer.

Sometimes this sort of medal is produced as a token for visitors to the factory such as
an open house or the like. It is '60's style but without more evidence I'd guess it might
be a little earlier.

Your specimen is very nice condition compared to what's usually seen.

coindeuce

As the NGC insert states, the medal is cataloged in "Medallic Portraits of Washington" as a store card, Baker 747. Struck by Osborne Coinage Company, Cincinnati, Ohio (formerly Osborne Register Company). Most likely used as a promotional souvenir of the Dayton G.M. manufacturing plant during the early 1960's.
Unc. valued @ $15 in the 1999 2nd edition of the above.

cladking

<< <i>As the NGC insert states, the medal is cataloged in "Medallic Portraits of Washington" as a store card, Baker 747. Struck by Osborne Coinage Company, Cincinnati, Ohio (formerly Osborne Register Company). Most likely used as a promotional souvenir of the Dayton G.M. manufacturing plant during the early 1960's.
Unc. valued @ $15 in the 1999 2nd edition of the above. >>



Thanks. I missed the catalog number and wasn't aware this catalog existed.

mrearlygold

Great info. Any idea how many were made? Value? I think the one on Teletrade was a no sell, least that's what I was told. I have a couple in my hand right now and they're kinda neat actually. Gilt, with some of the bronze or whatever poking thru or at least it looks that way. Just a little smaller than a half dollar.

Any GM historians out there? Any idea what GM was making in the plants there back then ( then seems to be in question? )

Cameonut

I am somewhat familiar with GM in Dayton.
Back in the 60's they were building vehicles at the Moraine plant, I think Boss Kettering's lab was open at that time, there were multiple parts making plants that made brake components, compressors, engine mounts, and many others. I also believe the Frigidaire plant was still running back then.
In any event, there were many GM plants in the Dayton area at that time - far fewer now.

cladking

<< <i>I am somewhat familiar with GM in Dayton.
Back in the 60's they were building vehicles at the Moraine plant, I think Boss Kettering's lab was open at that time, there were multiple parts making plants that made brake components, compressors, engine mounts, and many others. I also believe the Frigidaire plant was still running back then.
In any event, there were many GM plants in the Dayton area at that time - far fewer now. >>



I believe truck assembly didn't begin at Moraine until the mid-'70's and before
that it was strictly Frigidaire. They may have operated under the GM brand but
can't find evidence of it. You're probably right that there are many possibilities.
Moraine never employed over about 5000 people I believe and other plants were
likely smaller than this.

I'd guess the medal had a mintage in the range of five or six thousand but was
issued in a manner that assured a high attrition and degradation of most exam-
ples such as a company picnic or the like.

For medals or tokens this makes it fairly common.