1857 Admit to Wood's Minstrels Merchant Token

coinsarefun

I will say but a few things regarding this token as I will assume that Broadstruck will eventually
get around to posting an in depth article and wondrous token for all of us to enjoy.

This is a new pickup, not particularly rare, but it is an important merchant token as it has an "intrinsic value of 25 cents"
and "warranted pure silver" which is quite a good sum of value for 1857.

I'm still looking for a really super nice example but did find this one at a very fair price.

A good amount of information Can be found on novanumismatics.com website


There are many counter stamped coins that pre date this token but this was specifically engraved and minted for Wood’s Minstrels.


An image of my token......hope you enjoy.

Edited to add the image that disappeared
.

MGLICKER

Thought I was the only one that Googled old token addresses.

Good stuff.

coinsarefun

<< <i>Thought I was the only one that Googled old token addresses.

Good stuff. >>








It's fun to google the addresses

Broadstruck

These are one of the most common U.S. Merchant Tokens struck in silver for good reason. Wood's had these struck the same weight and diameter as a seated quarter. When you paid at the ticket gate for admission the cashier when making change would substitute a token in lieu of a quarter. This was a brilliant advertising scheme at the time as the tokens circulated in commerce as quarters and anyone who possessed the token was allowed admittance to their black face minstrel shows. That being said as not everyone could afford the show I've seen these circulated down to poor condition and at AU or above these are very scarce today.

ricko

Interesting..thanks for the pictures Stef... Cheers, RickO

kaz

interesting history, this thread sank way too fast , bump for the weekend crowd y'all.

Dentuck

Whitman Publishing is working on a commemorative
"Golden Anniversary" edition of Q. David Bowers's
Coins and Collectors, which will debut in a
few weeks. I believe this token is explored in some
depth in the book.

Zoins

<< <i>This is a new pickup, not particularly rare, but it is an important merchant token as it has an "intrinsic value of 25 cents" and "warranted pure silver" which is quite a good sum of value for 1857. >>



Great info, photos and token! I love those two lines regarding value and composition.

kaz

anything by QDB promises to be a good read. and that "Novanumismatics" website is worth a look, too.

coinsarefun

<< <i>Whitman Publishing is working on a commemorative
"Golden Anniversary" edition of Q. David Bowers's
Coins and Collectors, which will debut in a
few weeks. I believe this token is explored in some
depth in the book. >>







That's great news, can't wait!

Thanks for bumping the thread kaz

coinsarefun

<< <i>Whitman Publishing is working on a commemorative
"Golden Anniversary" edition of Q. David Bowers's
Coins and Collectors, which will debut in a
few weeks. I believe this token is explored in some
depth in the book. >>







....is this book finished? Link here
I would love to see if I can have him sign the book.

NumisOxide

Wow that's a cool piece. Love the look

kaz

Beautiful example!

Mark

I am glad this thread was bumped because I missed it the first time. Really nifty tokens. The second is truly nice! And the marketing ploy of giving out the token in place of a quarter...very, very clever!