Extensive Numismatic Collection - 24 items (antique and vintage coins and tokens)

The history of coins around the world is immense. Referred to as Numismatics, this field encompasses the scientific study of money, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and other related objects, examining their history, physical properties, and production technology. The first coins date back to the 8th century BCE around modern-day Greece and Turkey and have been used for varying reasons over the millennia, from offerings to Gods and royalty, to commerce and trade. Coins and tokens have been an invaluable archaeological source of information for centuries and continue to be an indispensable artifact of our every day lives. But to go through the vast history of coins would be folly… instead, I will concentrate on the pieces found in this expansive and varied collection of numismatic history. You will find two numbered photos, labelling the individual tokens and coins… their descriptions are in the numbered list, below. I apologize profusely for the lack of detail and clarity on some of the coins’ photos… it is difficult to show necessary details of the items when photographing them as a group. I would be happy to send detailed photos of any coin you wish, upon request. This is an extensive posting, as it is an extensive collection. I’ve done my best to delve into the necessary details of every example, but should you require clarification or further details, please drop us a line. I have listed approximate fair market values of individual items, for transparency.

1) Apothecary Weights – 2 Scruples – Traditionally, apothecaries used weights as a measure to dispense exact measurements of pharmaceuticals. They were based on Grains (approximately 1/64 of a gram), Scruples (20 grains), Drachms (3 scruples), Ounces (8 Drachms) and Pounds (12 ounces or 2.592 kg). On the coin, in the center, there is a crown, showing Royal approval of the token. Around the outside is written ‘Apothecaries Weight.’ On the reverse, in the center, the symbol for ‘scruple’ (what looks like a backwards ‘Euro’ symbol), and two Roman characters, ‘ij,’ representing the amount. Around the border is written ‘Two Scruples,’ as well as a small stamp of a crown and the letters ‘VP6.’ Despite my research, I was unable to identify the smaller crown and VP6 meaning, but the coin itself is a very rare piece. It dates to the early- to mid-18th century. Approximate value of $15 USD.
2) Tokyo Drive-In Token - This token is exceptionally rare – it is a parking token for a drive-in movie lot in Tokyo, Japan. These were common in the mid-20th century and varied from location to location. The drawing, although typically Japanese, offers no distinguishable landmarks or words with which to identify the exact location and I was unable to find an equal. Nonetheless, these tokens are growing increasingly rare, and offer a glimpse at a lost pastime. Approximate value of $10 USD.
3) Transogram Play Coin – Metal – Transogram was a major US gaming company that formed around the turn of the 20th century, producing a variety of products from the post-depression era through the period of early television. These tokens were used to play carnival games and trade for goods at local and State fairs. The vast majority of these coins are plastic… plastics were becoming an increasingly cheap material. However, this coin dates from the early days of Transogram and is made of metal. It is an exceedingly rare example of the good ol’ days, before screens began to distract the minds of our youth. Approximate value of $3 USD.
4) Halifax Dartmouth Bridge Commission Toll Token – Auto & Station Wagon – These were sold as toll tokens and offered a slight discount over the cash fare. Dated from 1955-1963, this is a more common version of the coin (called the ‘Tall W’ coin). Approximate value of $8 USD.
5) Deniers Tournois – 1650 – 11th Type – This is one of two treasures of this collection and has been photographed separately. Dating to 1650, the copper coin depicts Gaston D’Orleans, the Duke of Orleans. In the mid 17th century, he was the Heir Presumptive to the throne of France. Born in April 1608, he was Prince until his passing in February 1660. It was his brother who sat on the throne and their relationship was… tumultuous, at best. On two occasions, he was forced to leave France for conspiring against his brother and his Prime Minister, Cardinal Richelieu. His dirtbag tendencies didn’t end there, as during the Wars of the Fronde (1648-1653), he demonstrated no particular loyalty to the crown and frequently changed allegiance from one side to the other, easily swayed with monetary and political promise. The coin is quite rare, with surviving examples varying in condition and clarity. Our piece lacks the exact detail of some examples, but is nonetheless easily identified as the stated coin. Again, my apologies for the lack of detail evident in the photos, It is much clearer, in person. Approximate value of $45 USD.
6) Metropolitan Transit Authority – Boston, Massachusetts – This is a standard fare token for the Boston-based MTA, made of brass. 5,000,000 were struck in 1951. Approximate value of $1 USD.
7) Hagener Straßenbahn Fare Token – Dating from 1947-1948, 500,000 of these iron coins were minted. ‘Gut fur ½ Fahrt’ translates to ‘good for ½ fare’ worth 10 Pfennig (basically, 10 cents/pennies using Germany’s monetary system, developed in the 9th century and used until 2002, when the Euro was adopted). Hagener Straßenbahn is a now defunct tram way that ran on a 1000 mm track in Hagen Germany Operations from 1884-1976. These particular coins were demonetized in 1948. Approximate value $5 USD.
8) Thin, Stamped Islamic Coin – This very thin brass coin is stamped and pierced on the top. I was unable to decipher the text, but this piece was probably used as decoration on a dancer’s costume. They were frequently used by belly dancers, due to their pleasant ‘ring’ during the dance. Probably dates from the mid-20th century. Approximate value $3 USD.
9) Miraculous Medal - Aluminum, struck year unknown. Written in French, “O MARIE CONÇUE SANS PÉCHÉ PRIEZ POUR NOUS QUI AVONS RECOURS À VOUS” (Translation: O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee) around the Virgin Mary with rays emitting from her hands. On the reverse, the Miraculous Medal motif showing the letter “M” with a cross over it, and under both are the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a crown of thorns, and the Sacred Heart of Mary pierced by a sword (interestingly, our example is not pierced – I have yet to uncover a reason for this). The origins of the medal is a tale of a miraculous vision… Catherine Labouré (May 2, 1806 – December 31, 1876) was a French member of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul and a Marian seer. On November 27, 1830, Catherine reported that the Virgin Mary appeared to her during evening meditations. She appeared in an oval frame, standing on a globe. She wore numerous rings set with precious stones that cast rays of light onto the globe. Around the edge of the frame appeared the words "O Mary, conceived without sin , pray for us who have recourse to thee." As Catherine watched, the frame appeared to rotate, showing a circle of twelve stars, a large letter M surmounted by a cross, the stylized Sacred Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced by a sword. When asked why certain precious stones adorning her fingers did not give light, Mary reportedly replied, "These are the graces that people forget to ask for." Sister Catherine then heard the Virgin Mary instruct her to take these images to her confessor, telling him that they were to be placed on medallions and adding, "All who wear them will receive great graces."
Sister Catherine complied, and after two years of investigation and observation of Catherine's ordinary daily behavior, the priest took the information to his archbishop without revealing Catherine's identity. The request was approved, and the medallions were designed and produced by goldsmith Adrien Vachette, beginning in the mid-19th century. Their image has been reproduced ever since, with varied materials and detail. Approximate Value $15 USD
10) M.A.S B.C.I Trade Token - 5₵ - This is one of our mystery tokens… origins unknown. We know it’s a brass gaming token of some sort, used as a form of currency for either tuck shops, company stores or gaming establishments. It’s possible that this is a gaming token from an early-20th century gaming company called ‘Maverick Gaming,’ but this is not clear. It’s still a desired piece as many collectors love these old tokens. Approximate value of $8 USD.
11) Double Tournois – Louis XIII, Tours, 14th Type – This is the second of our exceedingly old and valuable coins. It was difficult to identify, but I managed to ensure the origins of this coin. Minted in 1638, it features the bust of Louis XIII, with a draped and armored laureate on the right seen from three quarters forward, not interrupting the legend. Beginning legend at 8 o'clock with a beaded circle. Louis XIII, sometimes referred to as ‘The Just,’ was King of France from 1610 to his death in 1643. He became king shortly before his 9th birthday, when his father, Henry IV was assassinated. Although his mother served as regent during his youth, her rampant mismanagement of affairs and political intrigues with her Italian favorites led the young king to take power when he was just 16, exiling his mother and executing her followers. Although he reconciled with his mother in 1621, these early years led to the young king being suspicious during his reign. He had an eventful and successful rule, ending a decades-old war with the Hapsburgs of Austria. Unlike his European counterparts, he encouraged peaceful coexistence in New France between natives and colonialists. Natives who converted to Catholicism were even considered Natural Frenchmen by the Ordonnance of 1627. He has since been a frequent subject of popular television and film roles due to his impressive and eventful reign. The coin is in acceptable condition and due to its material (copper), it is a rare piece frequently collected by those in the know. Approximate value of $50 USD.
12) Escudos Gaming Token – 1868 – These were gaming tokens and souvenirs found in Spain and their colonies, fashioned after the popular 10 Escudos Silver coin. Fashioned of brass, these were used in the mid- to late-19th century. Approximate value of $10 USD.
13) Bread City Company Winnipeg – One Loaf Token – 1948-1950 – Established in 1958, this was the only Parve Kosher bakery in Winnipeg, which had emerged as a hub of bread production in Canada after WW2. The phone number on the token – 52910 – shows the evolution of phone numbers over the decades. By the early-60s, over 200,000 phones were installed in the province of Manitoba. As such, phone numbers had to be expanded to make way for the ever-expanding technology. Approximate value of $15 USD.
14) Kirby Utt Canning Company Token – Trappe, Maryland – These tokens were known as ‘checks.’ These were prevalent in the canning industry during the 20s and 30s. Workers, frequently women, had their efforts recorded with these tokens. For example, when a worker finished peeling one bucket of tomatoes, they were given a check. At the end of the day (or more frequently, week), these check could be used to purchase goods at the company store, or be converted into cash. This aluminum token was issued by the Kirby Utt Canning Company of Trappe, Maryland, a known hub of canning in the US in the early part of the 20th century. Approximate value of $5 USD.
15) Phillips Packing Company 3-Can Token – The Phillips Packing Company is one of the oldest packing companies in the US still operating today. Having begun in Cambridge, Maryland in 1902, they specialized in the canning and packaging of seafood, becoming one of the largest employers in the region. They quickly expanded their operations to general foods, including fruits and vegetables. By 1956, although selling a great deal of seafood to suppliers in the area, the owners decided to open their first crab shack to help offload their excess product. Staring with a tiny shack with only 4 seats, they grew to a local institution, seating over 1400 patrons in several locations. This token was issued to workers of Factory B, an expansion to the original factory, in 1917 as payment, either to trade for goods in the company store, or to be traded for cash. Rare piece in excellent condition. Approximate value of $20 USD.
16) Phillips Packing Company Ltd 5-Can Token – Newbridge Plant – As above, this token was a ‘check,’ given to workers as a way of keeping track of their work. This particular token is from a later date (as is evident by the ‘Inc,’ showing the vast growth of the company, having been formed into a corporation, at this point. Although there is no town called ‘Newbridge,’ it’s possible that this token is from a factory that was built near the New Casselman River Bridge, built in 1933 to replace the original, 80-foot span that had been constructed in 1813-14. More common that #15. Approximate value of $2 USD.
17) Religious/Communion Token – This pewter coin is a relic of an early church practice. Found throughout the Christian world, these tokens were given to proven (paying) members of a particular church, for the privilege of receiving the Eucharist. This early pewter token was issued early enough that even the state in which the town of Cross was situated is not noted. Dating from the 19th century, it is a fairly rare piece in excellent condition. Approximate value of $10.
18) John Maris One Drachm Apothecary Weight/Token – Please see entry #1 for a history of apothecary weights. In 1812, Jeremiah Emlen established a successful business as a druggist at Philadelphia. Caleb E. Pleasants and a man known to us only as Graeff (Pleasants & Graeff) purchased the firm in 1828, expanding into the wholesale drug field by this time. By 1830, Pleasants operated under his own name - C.E. Pleasants & Co. Although John M. Maris began working for Pleasants in 1839, it was not until 1842 that Pleasants took him on as a partner and changed the firm name to Pleasants & Maris. Pleasants died in 1843, but Maris continued to run the firm under the joint name until January 1, 1846, when it became John M. Maris & Co. Maris continued to deal in wholesale drugs until 1872, when his focus shifted slightly to druggists’ bottles, shop furniture, and related ware, with the business located in Philadelphia. The firm opened a branch in New York in 1880. Impressively, it still operates today, offering lab and medical equipment. This 1 drachm weight is in excellent condition and dates from the late 19th century, around 1880, when the New York location was opened. Approximate value of $10 USD.
19) Our Lady of Fatima Prayer Token - Our Lady of Fátima is the title given to the Virgin Mary as she appeared before three shepherd children near the village of Fátima, Portugal, in 1917. She identified herself to them as the Lady of the Rosary. The Roman Catholic Church officially recognized the Fátima apparitions as worthy of belief in 1930. Her image has adorned prayer tokens (simply kept, possibly in ones’ pocket, as reminders or inspiration for daily prayer) ever since. Although one needn’t look hard for Our Lady of Fatima prayer tokens, design and materials vary. This early pewter example is quite rare. Approximate value of $10 USD.
20) Algerian French Victory Proclamation Coin/Pendant – This is a reproduction of a memorial coin first cast in 1857, celebrating the defeat of Algerian resistance by the French. It reads “Sultan Mahmud Khan May he be victorious.” On the reverse: “Year 1857.” This rare piece is most-probably a reproduction for the Centennial celebration in 1957. Approximate value of $15.
21) Munich University 7-Lunch Token – (Forgive the quality of the photo – I assure you the coin is in very good condition and quite clearly legible.) Used at Munich University in the 60s and 70s, this is a token worth one week’s worth of lunches from the student cafeteria. It reads “Studentenwerk Munchen Uni” (Student Union Munich University), and on the reverse, “Wertmarke 7 Mittagessen” (Token 7 Lunches). Approximate value of $3 USD.
22) Danish Gaming Token – Type 1 – Vintage Brass Danish gaming token. Despite extensive research, I have been unable to find a history or year range for our piece. These tokens are no longer used and it is my belief that it dates to the mid-century. This is the earlier version of said token, as the later versions have a hole in the center. These were typically used in game arcades and fairs, to be used as credits toward gaming and goods. Reads: “Forening Dansk Automat Branche” (Danish Vending Machine Industry Association). Reverse reads: “Spillemaerke 25” (Game Brand 25). Excellent condition. Approximate value of $10 USD.
23) Miraculous Medal Pendant – For a history of the Miraculous Medal, see entry #9. Made of brass (although possibly copper), this prayer token/coin would be used as a reminder or inspiration for daily prayer. It reads: “O Mary, conceived without sin pray for us.” On the reverse is the Miraculous Medal motif, showing the letter “M” under a cross, under which are the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a crown of thorns and the Sacred Heart of Mary, pierced with a sword. 12 stars surround her, for the 12 apostles. Exceedingly rare design. Approximate value $20 USD.
24) Vintage Peep Show Token – Made of brass, this token hardly requires much explanation. Peep shows were adult shows, where a scantily clad woman would dance in a central room, surrounded by private booths. In these booths were small machines into which these tokens were popped, raising a blind and allowing a patron a limited amount of time to view the show. These were common in the late-19th through the mid-20th century. There are no identifying marks on the token, but given the design and font, we can assume this token comes from the mid- to late-20th century. Approximate value of $2 USD.

As always, should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to speak about the past!
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