Penny folder from a department store, 1930's (corrected)
ernie11
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I found this penny folder in a flea market about a year ago, was this a common practice for stores or other institutions to issue these back then? This mostly contained Philadelphia mint cents in not so bad condition, the ones that were AU or MS I removed and placed in plastic holders. All the slots were filled with cents, except, sadly, the slot for 1922 had no penny in it.
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Oops, forgot to mention that the 1909 slot's penny is the Philly VDB.
The guy that wrote the book on these things resides ATS, David Lange. If you posted this over there, you would learn all you wanted to know. That's a neat board. I've never seen that one.
Thanks. And I should've called this a coin board, not a folder. You can tell I was raised on Whitman folders.
David may not be available since he lives in Florida so I'll chime in since Dave and I probably know more about coin boards than anyone on the planet.
While you can technically call this a coin board, it's not a coin board in the traditional sense. Coin boards were published by seven known companies: Whitman Publishing Company out of Racine Wisconsin, Joseph Oberwise & Company out of Los Angeles, Colonial Coin & Stamp Company out of New York city, the Kent Coin Company out of Neenah Wisconsin, Lincoln Printing Company out of Los Angeles, Gramercy Stamp Company out of New York city, and Earl & Koehler out of Portland Oregon. These were produced from 1934 until as late as 1948 though most companies permanently ceased production during WW2 due to other priorities and due to the successful invention of the 2 and 3 page coin folders we all know so well.
These coin boards were typically 14" x 11" and sold for $0.25 each (the CCS boards were sold for $0.35 due to superior manufacturing quality) and had spaces for both dates and mint marks. The boards often included mintage information as well as values and suggestions for displaying them. Additionally, all of these companies sold boards for other series and denominations some of which are extremely rare today. For instance, for a very short time Whitman sold a board for Liberty Seated Dimes which even in the 1930's was quite a feat to put together. Needless to say, these were poor sellers (the boards for Liberty Seated Dimes), are extremely rare today (maybe half a dozen known) and in near mint condition sell for more than $100.
Most coin boards are found for Lincoln Cents and Liberty Nickels and in average condition sell for $10-$20.
L.L. Stearns was a department store based out of Williamsport, Pennsylvania since the 1920's. Like many large retail stores in the 50's through 70's, they had a coin department that was setup like most small coin shops. Many members of this forum (me being one of them) likely have fond memories of these places. They would sell mostly common coins as well as books and supplies. Although I've not seen a holder from L.L. Stearns, what you likely have is an item that originally sold with the coins in place as a ready made collection. With the coins I'd estimate the value of this holder to be $20-$30.
Thanks for sharing.
For what it's worth, I'd keep the coins with the holder.
Neat find... I have not seen these at flea markets in this area....which is surprising, since it is an 'old' area. Many years ago, we had a couple of the old fashioned department stores here - long gone now...I have not seen any at yard sales either. They must be in attic trunks in the old homes. Cheers, RickO
One last thing; the missing dates likely held coins that fell out over time much like what you find
with modern Whitman coin folders today. The only exception being the opening for 1932 which clearly shows damage from somebody digging this coin out. Such damage is commonly seen in traditional coin boards.
I'd end up having to filling in the holes with the appropriate cents.
(Edit. Just noticed he said he removed 'em...)
What's up with the '28? Is that just a stain or is it a big gouge?
I'd probably fill the other openings as well with a few AU pieces that match the other dates.
The 28 looks almost looks like a strike-through error. But probably post mint damage like like you suggested.
Nice find. I like stories like this about numismatic supplies, people, and stores from the glory years of coin collecting. I barely remember coins being sold in department stores. Brings back memories of my grandmother.
Most of the time the coins are popped out by family members and heirs. The holders are then tossed in the garbage. It's unfortunate, but understandable since most people would see an old piece of cardboard as worthless.
There have been a few times that I've come across boards filled with circulated coins where the board itself is worth more than any one of the coins. The seller rarely has any idea and even when informed refuses to sell the board as a separate item.
Likewise, I've also seen sellers offering empty boards at prices that are ridiculous and aren't worth the cost of shipping.
I grew up just south of Knoxville, TN. Back in the 70's there was a department store in Knoxville (I think the name was Proffit's) that had a large kiosk for coins and stamps near the cosmetics department. It was manned by an old guy who was probably 30 something
. A trip to Proffit's was a rare event for our family so whenever we visited I was super excited at the opportunity. My parents would leave me at the coin counter to stare in wonder at coins I'd otherwise only see in my battered copy of the Red Book. Of course I had zero funds to purchase anything, but that didn't quell my fantasy to someday make a purchase.
I have to correct myself - the 1921, 1922 and 1925 and 1932 slots were empty when I got this board. Three of the missing dates are from my removing them because they were either AU or MS, and I put them into separate holders: the 1935 and 1936 had lovely toning on them, and the 1920 had really nice details, but I don't have a camera to show you these, though. The 1937 slot has a 1939 cent. All are Philadelphia coins except the 1918-S. As I said before, the 1909 slot is a VDB.
The 1928 is the only one with PM damage, it looks like someone punched something into it, a nail, or...?
The damage to the 1932 slot was not caused by me.
The people who had this at the flea market were selling it for $10, I jumped at it right away.
I remember Montgomery Wards and my local five and dime having these and also selling coins.
bob
PS: Montgomery Wards was a big box store like Sears.
$10 is a good deal. Especially if the dates you removed were nice coins.
Cool board! Or, whatever it is supposed to be called.
Cool.
I like it! If I had it like it is, I would most likely fill in the missing ones with matching examples, and frame and hang it.
I remember going to the Woolworth's near City Hall in Philly back when I was a kid & visiting and buying stuff from their coin kiosk. I think I still had a 2x2 from ages ago with their price & logo on it, plus I've had in my possession several Whitman folders with their price sticker (ranging from 10 to 25 cents) still on them! Brings back fond memories of my trips there with my grandparents.
Later, my first job was at Woolworth's, but they were on the decline by then, and most satellite stores just sold folders, 2x2's, & other coin & stamp supplies by then.......
Yes...........Woolworth's.....Gilchrist...and many others were great places for parents to take their children
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Anything on the back side or is it blank?
"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
These are usually blank, but I'm curious too.
No printing or anything on the back, it is entirely in the same color and texture as the gold border on the front.