Hey there! Just got back from the coin club last night, and I accidentally ended up with some interesting new tokens. I couldn’t resist because some of them have pictures of beer and skulls on them—pretty rare finds for coins!
I’ve shared some pictures and added a bit of research about them below:
Here’s my favorite token from the batch. I love the design on both sides and how worn it looks, as if it’s been in someone’s pocket for years, helping them pass the time. The lines on both sides are really captivating.
I guess that’s how people coped during prohibition, right? Here’s some info about the “Crusaders,” who produced these tokens, courtesy of Tipsico Coin. They issued anti-prohibition advertising tokens in the 1930s, sparked by the failure of the 18th Amendment and events like the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. These tokens served as good luck charms and political tools to repeal the 18th Amendment. The “5 Cents” on them likely refers to the price of beer rather than being a merchant token.
Typing all this is making me thirsty!
Another neat alcohol-related token I found is a “spinner” token. I learned that you place it flat on the table and spin it. Wherever the arrow lands determines who buys the next round of beers. I wish these were around when I was in college in the ’90s!
The Brown-Forman Distillery Co., the company behind the token, still exists today! Here’s a brief history: George Garvin Brown started the company in 1870 with his half-brother, selling whisky in sealed glass bottles—an innovative approach at the time. Later, he partnered with George Forman, his accountant, to form Brown-Forman. You might recognize some of their brands, like Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve. Jack Daniel’s sure has made its mark, and these spinner tokens might have played a part in their marketing!
I also picked up a token that caught my eye due to its simplicity. Made of aluminum, it features a portrait of George Washington with the slogan “Never Fail.” It’s a humble nod to his legacy.
Switching gears from drinking to riding (no drinking and driving!), here’s a token from the Washington DC Metro system. I love collecting items from places I’ve lived, and it was just a dollar!
I couldn’t quite figure out if it’s a subway or bus token, but it dates back to around the 1930s-1950s. My guess is it’s a bus token since the DC metro adopted technology earlier than other systems. The bold “CAPITAL” across the center makes it feel proudly American. These tokens were exchanged for rides but now seem to be used more in vintage jewelry, judging by Etsy.
Another token I picked up clearly shows it’s for bus transportation with “Metrobus” marked on the reverse, dated 1982. Even though they’re no longer sold to the public, Metrobus says they’re still usable, so I got a great deal for just a dollar!
Lastly, I grabbed a token from the Washington DC area coin club. The website listed on it is now defunct, but Google can direct you to their new address: AlexandriaCoinClub.org. I also appreciate the frugality shown by the collector who reused a holder meant for a French coin.
That’s my latest haul! How about you? Have you added anything interesting or random to your collection lately?
The best part of this hobby is the thrill of discovering unexpected treasures, especially when you can snag several coins for just $10!
