THOSE UNUSUAL DENOMINATIONS!
Token collecting could never be described as plain or bland. No, the variety of tokens seems endless. Different shapes, metals, sizes, designs and denominations, just to name a few, are some of the subjects of variation among tokens. In this article the subject of some of the denomination varieties are explored.
Aside from the commonly encountered denominations, such as 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, $5 andsometimes $10 and $20, there are tokens that fall somewhere in between, and with those “unusual” denominations there is a fascinating history behind uses!
2 ½¢, 5¢, 12 ½¢ and 25¢ Merchant Tokens
These four denominations were predominately used in saloon and saloon-type businesses. While the 5¢and 25¢ tokens are commonly encountered are not considered “unusual” denominations and were alsoused in just about all other types of businesses, they are included here to help in the understanding of thetokens used in saloon businesses. To gain a better understanding of saloon token denominations, one mustfirst examine some of the prices of items generally encountered.
Game of Pool 2 ½¢
Beer / cheap cigars 5¢
Whiskey (2 drinks) 25¢
Good Cigars 12 ½¢ each or 2 for 25¢ (if only one cigar was wanted, and a quarter or 25¢ token was used he’d get a 12 ½¢ token in change)
There are a variety of reasons for the use of tokens in saloons, as well as many of other businesses. One reason was the need for inexpensive change. A business could have a variety of denominations of tokens struck for about the same price, a small fraction of the token’s face value. Another reason was to promote repeat business. If you went to a saloon and played one game of pool, you would give the saloon keeper a nickel and you could play your game of pool and you would be given a 2 ½¢ token in change. The token could only be used at the saloon where given, so you would have to return to spend your token. The same goes for a fellow who wanted a drink of whiskey, which cost 12 ½¢. He would give a quarter and get a 12 ½¢ in change. In the event that a patron left and never used his tokens the saloon keeper would still come out ahead by profiting the difference between the cost of making the token and its face value!