1860 Fort Benton, Montana Tokens - Originals and Restrikes

Zoins · December 13, 2020 12:14PM

I picked up this restrike recently from Steve Hayden because I liked the way it looked and it was inexpenssive.

Then I noticed @tokenpro was using an original for this avatar.

What do we know about these tokens and where the dies are today?

What was the Baker Street Ferry? Are there any photos of it?

Does anyone know what the "M. L." stands for in "M. L. Lynch"?

The following is from TokenCatalog.com:

This example is BU - shiney aluminum. Scanner light reflection makes it look black,; This is Atwood-Coffee Montana Fantasy #1, struck from original dies in the '60's. Sold for 25¢ by the Fort Benton Historical Museum. 1000 made. The original is brass, 24mm. (Atwood-Coffee, Sixth Edition 2007.)

Hydrant · December 13, 2020 1:56PM

Very, very nice. That token would fit in nicely with my collection of American Indian artifacts. Except I'm focused on getting rid of stuff right now. But...... I like it!

ricko · December 14, 2020 9:12AM

That is cool.... Some really interesting tokens out there......STOP!! NO!! I will NOT start collecting tokens.... Cheers, RickO

Zoins · December 14, 2020 10:01AM

Here's a link to an original 1860 50 cent token sold by Fred Holabird on April 4, 2016 for $1,080 with more info, including that the dies were found in 1959 at the Montana Historical Society.

One of a few known. Obv.: Fort Benton / (two Indians in a canoe pictorial) / 1860; Rev.: Baker Street / Ferry / 50 / M. L. Lynch; Rd.,, 30mm. R-12. This is an important Montana transportation token. Lynch apparently ran the ferry from 1881-1887, according to our friends in Montana. The dies for this token were found in 1959 at the Montana Historical Society, and 1000 restrikes were made of the 50 cent token on 25mm planchets. According to the Atwood Transportation token catalog, 500 more were made a few years later. 1000 restrikes were made of the 25 cent token in aluminum. All of the restrikes were made on pitted surface dies, so all the restrikes look pitted. This specimen still has some of the mint luster. City: Fort Benton State: Montana Date: 1860 ID: 36403

https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Baker-Street-Ferry-Token-Territorial-Ft-Benton-Montana_i24264100

tokenpro · December 14, 2020 10:14AM

The restrikes are easy to identify even beyond the raised bumps from the pitted original dies. The MHS was careful to use either wrong metal planchets (aluminum instead of brass for the 25c) or undersized planchets for the 50c (original is 29mm, restrike is 25mm). I always seem to have a couple in my inactive active inventory as I've always enjoyed the (non-historic) pictorial representation of the ferry.

dbldie55 · December 14, 2020 9:36PM

All I know is I have never been to Fort Benton. Not sure why.

Zoins · December 15, 2020 5:54AM

@dbldie55 said:
All I know is I have never been to Fort Benton. Not sure why.

I haven't had the chance to visit the fort yet but would love to.

I've been to Montana while visiting Yellowstone. Beautiful country.

Zoins · December 15, 2020 7:58AM

Wow, this 50 cent original was offered for $2,500 and sold for $2,000:

http://www.thetokenstore.com/store.php/TheTokenStore/pd4552046/fort_benton_montana_baker_street_ferry_m_l_lynch_50c_canoe_token_super_rare#.X9eaBhNKjOQ

tokenpro · December 15, 2020 1:18PM

@Zoins said:
Wow, this 50 cent original was offered for $2,500 and sold for $2,000:

http://www.thetokenstore.com/store.php/TheTokenStore/pd4552046/fort_benton_montana_baker_street_ferry_m_l_lynch_50c_canoe_token_super_rare#.X9eaBhNKjOQ

IMHO

1860 Fort Benton, Montana Tokens - Originals and Restrikes

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