Options
Mystery mini coin board - is this a Beistle Unique Coin Holder, an early Rayway Holder, or what?
Mr_Spud
Posts: 7,373 ✭✭✭✭✭
I purchased this mystery mini coin board today, not sure what it is though. It’s got 3 digits with the number 406 like it’s a Wayte Raybon Board, but it’s half the size of the small album boards and no holes punched in it. It doesn’t say Rayway like other small size Wayte Raymond Rayway holders and the Rayway boards didn’t have the darker brown tape border. Beistle used to stamp U S of Am on its Halloween decorations
, but I only saw made in U.S.A. on Wayte Raymond Boards. Could it be a Beistle Unique Coin Holder?
Here’s some pictures from Lange’s book of the Beistle Unique Coin Holders
Mr_Spud
2
Comments
The Patent number looks the same as the Beistle Unique, which you probably already noticed.
Sure looks like a Beistle unique holder...
Trying to date it based on the “made in the U. S. Of Am.”. This is from a google AI search which says Beistle spelled it with the “Am.” In late 20s - 30s on his Halloween Decorations. So most likely this is from same time period.
On authentic vintage Beistle Halloween decorations, the specific stamp "Made in U.S. of Am." (or "Made in U.S. Am.") was used primarily during the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s. [1] (https://www.etsy.com/market/beistle_vintage_halloween), [2] (https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1126753/mystery-mini-coin-board-is-this-a-beistle-unique-coin-holder-an-early-rayway-holder-or-what)
If you are trying to date a piece of vintage Beistle ephemera using its manufacturing marks, here is a quick guide to how their stamping evolved over the decades:
• Late 1920s – 1930s ("Made in U.S. of Am."): This exact phrasing—using the abbreviation "of Am."—is a hallmark of Beistle's golden era of paper and cardboard decor. These pieces are highly collectible, feature distinctively rich, heavy dyes, and are almost always heavily embossed on unbleached brown paper stock. [1] (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1098564419085896/posts/1417013697240965/), [2] (https://atomicredhead.com/2015/10/11/how-to-tell-vintage-from-repro-halloween-decorations/), [3] (https://www.facebook.com/vintagebeistle/posts/how-to-tell-vintage-from-repro-halloween-decorationshalloween-in-around-the-corn/3308746692549388/), [4] (https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1126753/mystery-mini-coin-board-is-this-a-beistle-unique-coin-holder-an-early-rayway-holder-or-what), [5] (https://www.etsy.com/market/beistle_vintage_halloween)
• 1941 – Early 1950s ("H.E. Luhrs"): During this era, decorations frequently bore the copyright or mark of Henry E. Luhrs (Martin Beistle’s son-in-law, who took over operation of the company). [1] (https://www.vintagebeistle.com/store/pg/8-The-History-of-the-Beistle-Company.aspx), [2] (https://www.reddit.com/r/halloween/comments/1nqqk90/vintage_beistlehe_luhrs_diecutsdating/)
• Mid-1950s – 1970s ("Made in U.S.A."): The wording shifted to a standard, simplified "Made in U.S.A." or "The Beistle Co., Shippensburg, PA." [1] (https://www.facebook.com/thestrandpocahontas/posts/i-love-vintage-decorations-and-while-searching-for-things-for-the-shoppe-i-stumb/2278223658952941/)
Mr_Spud