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Military Tokens Thread

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  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Zoins said:

    Does the Cunningham reference include any additional information for the Fort Totten tokens, for example issuer or rarity information?

    I will get out the reference and PM you. I really like these military tokens. You can put together a relatively vast collection on the cheap (there are exceptions to this) and each one is full of history.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • ParadisefoundParadisefound Posts: 8,588 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I don't have one but found this subject very interesting. Thank you for sharing :)

  • Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 9,015 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very interesting topic. I'm going to keep my eye peeled for these items.

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm happy to see interest in these. I stopped adding to the thread, because it appeared no one cared about them. I'll add some more soon.
    Anyone is free to post their military tokens here.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,304 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 6, 2019 1:16PM

    Here's my Battleship "X" relic medal made from parts of the ship.

    Here's some info:

    Calvin Graham, believed to be the youngest US serviceman to enlist and fight in World War II, enlisting at the age of twelve, served aboard South Dakota in 1942 and 1943 as a loader for a 40 mm anti-aircraft gun, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal.

    Firing at a Japanese torpedo bomber at the Battle of Santa Cruz islands.

  • GluggoGluggo Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 6, 2019 1:51PM

    I wish I owned a few suttlers but their way to expensive for my budget.
    I do have a nice suttlers colored book. Even that was expensive. 1 Bill for that book.

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,304 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 28, 2020 9:35PM

    Here's my new pickup.

    I'm surprised that this ended up at $169.39 on the bay today.

    I don't normally expect these to go for so much. Is interest in these going up? Is someone slabbing these now?

    The bidders were at:

    1. $169.39 (me)
    2. $166.89
    3. $73.00
    4. $72.07
    5. $61.26

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I don't know if interest is necessarily increasing regarding military tokens, but a large collection is now being dispersed with a dealer who does extraordinarily well on eBay with nearly everything he sells.
    There are a lot of goodies for those of us that are drawn to this niche of the hobby.
    Some states like Hawaii, Florida, and Texas just command more than others. But those prices are creeping up to Sutler token premiums!
    Hopefully, we can get this thread going again and highlight a little history along the way.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,304 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DCW said:
    I don't know if interest is necessarily increasing regarding military tokens, but a large collection is now being dispersed with a dealer who does extraordinarily well on eBay with nearly everything he sells.

    There are a lot of goodies for those of us that are drawn to this niche of the hobby.

    Some states like Hawaii, Florida, and Texas just command more than others. But those prices are creeping up to Sutler token premiums!

    Hopefully, we can get this thread going again and highlight a little history along the way.

    The history of these forts is immense and I love the photos. This would be great for a wiki format website.

    It does look like NGC slabs these. Here's one from Eric Newman:

  • coinsarefuncoinsarefun Posts: 21,736 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 23, 2020 10:29AM

    I’m not sure if this fits here but will post and give some background.
    1882 Rock Island Arsenal Work Pass (RIA) (WP) is from the era immediately following Civil War Reconstruction. The Rock Island Arsenal is located in Illinois. During the years from 1863 to 1865 the Arsenal Island was home to a large Union army prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers. Since the 1880s it has been an active manufacturer of military artillery and weaponry. Workers presented these metals to security personal to prove they were authorized to work at the arsenal.
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    From Rock Island Facebook Page. Museum
    Rock Island Facebook page Joint Manufacturing page
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    "On April 21, 1882, RIA procured a power press for punching and drawing metal used for manufacturing tin meat cans, tin cups, and other metal items. This photo shows the production of those items from May 15, 1908."
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    In October 1866, a board of commissioners began negotiating with settlers and local civil authorities to regain portions of the island that had fallen under civil control. The property was repurchased along with access bridges to the island giving Rock Island Arsenal complete authority and control of the island.

    This plat map shows the civilians with land claimed on the island. Among the notable names are Davenport and Sears.
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    Also from their Facebook page
    Virtual Program: Rock Island Prison Barracks (1863-1865)
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    Online Live December 20th
    Between 1863 and 1865, a Confederate prisoner of war camp was operated on Rock Island. During its operation over 12,000 POWs came through the camp.
    Museum Director Patrick Allie will discuss the history of the prison barracks, its guards and prisoners, and some of the unique artifacts in the collection related to the prison barracks.
    Anyone can join in.
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    .

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,304 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinsarefun said:
    1882 Rock Island Arsenal Work Pass (RIA) (WP)

    Very cool Stef! I didn't think that tokens would be used like personnel id badges but it makes sense!

  • coinsarefuncoinsarefun Posts: 21,736 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I posted this one few weeks back and was trying to find out who struck this medal @tokenpro suggested it might be Lombardo Mint. I contacted them and he replied that he's never seen this one. Non the lest I do think its a medal and not
    a challenge coin because it's copper.


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    .I also provided a few links
    Link to the website
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    Link to the Patch

    And I found this neat image on the net
    .

  • coinsarefuncoinsarefun Posts: 21,736 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1890 Encampment of the New Jersey National Guard, 2nd Brigade at the Jersey Shore Borough of Sea Girt. The encampments were both about drilling and camaraderie. A number of local and state guard and militia units commemorated their drills and meetings in the 1880's and 1890's but much more often with ribbons and ribbon badges rather than tokens and medals. Thanks to @tokenpro for the info.
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    Seagirt Museum
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  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinsarefun
    More local history for me there, Stef. Beside the NJ National Guard, that is where the State Police Academy is located.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • coinsarefuncoinsarefun Posts: 21,736 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DCW said:
    @coinsarefun
    More local history for me there, Stef. Beside the NJ National Guard, that is where the State Police Academy is located.

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    You're right, I forgot to mention that. I found that out when I was researching. Thanks for reminding me,.

  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 20, 2021 10:58AM

    @coinsarefun said:
    1890 Encampment of the New Jersey National Guard, 2nd Brigade at the Jersey Shore Borough of Sea Girt. The encampments were both about drilling and camaraderie. A number of local and state guard and militia units commemorated their drills and meetings in the 1880's and 1890's but much more often with ribbons and ribbon badges rather than tokens and medals. Thanks to @tokenpro for the info.
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    Seagirt Museum
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    .

    If encampment medals are fair game in this thread, here is a massive one.

    Minted in 1905, a scant 40 years after the end of the conflict, for the 39th GAR encampment at Pike's Peak. At that time, the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) wasn't a standing militia but a collection of aging Union soldiers gathering in remembrance of our national conflict under Lincoln. I need to do more research on the activities that took place at this encampment, but I imagine it was reminiscent of modern Civil War reenactments.

    Another interesting fact is that the conflict was not referred to as the "Civil War" by the GAR, but as "The War of the Great Rebellion."

    Coming in at 70mm and 128.5 grams . . . .

    Z
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    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • tokenprotokenpro Posts: 877 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The Grand Army Of The Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization of Union military veterans, not Confederate. The United Confederate Veterans (UCV) was the similar Confederate fraternal organization. The two groups infrequently met in the same location at the same time.

  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @tokenpro said:
    The Grand Army Of The Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization of Union military veterans, not Confederate. The United Confederate Veterans (UCV) was the similar Confederate fraternal organization. The two groups infrequently met in the same location at the same time.

    Appreciate the education. The information transferred with the medal was obviously flawed.

    I will correct that.

    Z

    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Fort Sam Houston. San Antonio, TX. 5c

    Built in 1876, Ft. Sam Houston was named after the famous Texan soldier and politician, who was instrumental in winning independence for the Republic. It serves as Command HQ for US Army North.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 28, 2021 4:40PM

    I have one like this plus a number of challenge coins.


  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Before it became a federal penitentiary in the 1930s, the island of Alcatraz was an integral part of the defense of San Francisco Bay:

    The tokens are very rare and the opportunity to acquire one doesn't come along very often as just about everybody is intrigued by "The Rock."
    Welcome to the club @massscrew !

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • USMC_6115USMC_6115 Posts: 3,006 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thank you @DCW ! B)

  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I ran across these and had to pick them up. I don't know anything about them, so no cool story to tell, but I am interested in discovering more. I will be googling them a bit later.

    They look to be WWII vintage British exchange or cooperative tokens. They are very thin. I am guessing they are made of tin plate or some other inexpensive metal. The back side of these has a reverse image of the obverse.

    They are all marked, "ROYAL ARSENAL COOPERATIVE SOC." with their denomination and "LIMITED" inside the circumscribed circle.

    Z
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    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,304 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 15, 2021 7:08PM

    Posted elsewhere but good to post here too. It's really great looking into these specific people and places that these pieces mention.

    1897 Camp David Bell Birney Token - Raw - Ex. Steve Hayden (inv)

    David Bell Birney was a Union Major General in the Civil War.

    1897 is right before the Spanish-American War.

    Camp Birney is from near Baltimore but I haven’t been able to find my information or any photos on it.

    More on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_B._Birney

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,685 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DCW said:

    I love that cannon. It would look great in my front yard. B)

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Columbus Barracks Canteen, Ohio. 50c FOR SOLDIERS ONLY


    This one dates from 1875-1922, after which the base was renamed "Ft. Hayes," after the President.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,304 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great token @DCW. Love the "For Soldiers Only" on the token.

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭



    Fort Jay on Governor's Island, was built to defend New York Harbor. This is a tiny little token struck in tin for use on the island's post exchange.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This one's not EXACTLY a token, but . . . . . . .

    Z
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    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ZoidMeister
    Not a token...but I like it very much! It's amazing the artistry that went into MPC's given they were frequently changed to combat the black market

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DCW said:
    @ZoidMeister
    Not a token...but I like it very much! It's amazing the artistry that went into MPC's given they were frequently changed to combat the black market

    .
    The fair maiden on the "obverse" of that note is reminiscent of The Bride of Frankenstein, don't ya think . . . . ?

    Z

    .

    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • LazybonesLazybones Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭✭✭


    USAF (Ret) 1974 - 1994 - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Remembering RickO, a brother in arms.

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Fort Oglethorpe, GA War Prison Exchange Good For $1.00


    Fort Oglethorpe held German Prisoners of War from 1917-1920.

    This is an interesting, large token from that time period, to be used in the post exchange for amenities.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have one of these in XF45.

  • USSID17USSID17 Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A clarification... Would these military tokens be the same as challenge coins?

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Most of the military tokens in this thread are "post exchange tokena" for use in the store on base.
    Challenge coins are something totally different, having no value for the exchange of goods. They are just keepsakes from a unit or a commanding officer.
    Still military tokens, since that term is a very large umbrella

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • USSID17USSID17 Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks DCW!

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,304 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Lazybones said:

    Great Challenge Coin. Looks like it’s numbered too!

    Anyone know what is considered the first challenge coin?

  • USSID17USSID17 Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I thought this was a Military Token Thread, not a Challenge Coin Thread.

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @USSID17 said:
    I thought this was a Military Token Thread, not a Challenge Coin Thread.

    I dont have a problem with anyone posting related material to this thread. There's not a lot of interest anyway, so one can't be picky.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • USSID17USSID17 Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭✭✭

    DCW

  • USSID17USSID17 Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭✭✭

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,304 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 24, 2021 1:14PM

    @DCW said:
    Fort Oglethorpe, GA War Prison Exchange Good For $1.00


    Fort Oglethorpe held German Prisoners of War from 1917-1920.

    This is an interesting, large token from that time period, to be used in the post exchange for amenities.

    Great token. Is there a Cunningham number for this?

    I'll have to get some for my growing German-American Collection. Here's my German-American thread:

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1054314/germans-in-america#latest

    Do you know if there are any for Japanese-American Internment Camps too?

  • Iceberg77Iceberg77 Posts: 37 ✭✭✭

    @coinsarefun said:
    I posted this one few weeks back and was trying to find out who struck this medal @tokenpro suggested it might be Lombardo Mint. I contacted them and he replied that he's never seen this one. Non the lest I do think its a medal and not
    a challenge coin because it's copper.


    .

    Coinsarefun,
    I have this copper medal and I also have one that looks like a white metal of some sort or maybe copper plated. When I first got these, I was told they were made in Canada. I am not sure if it is true or not, I never researched. When I get home from work tonight I'll post a picture of the white metal one for you.

  • coinsarefuncoinsarefun Posts: 21,736 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Iceberg77 said:

    @coinsarefun said:

    Coinsarefun,
    I have this copper medal and I also have one that looks like a white metal of some sort or maybe copper plated. When I first got these, I was told they were made in Canada. I am not sure if it is true or not, I never researched. When I get home from work tonight I'll post a picture of the white metal one for you.

    .
    .
    Thanks!......I believe it says made in Canada on the edge. It’s been a few months so I forget.....lol
    I would love to see some pics

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