Trade tokens
Picture courtesy of Michael J. Von Gebel |
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Pictured: Trade tokens are kind of
like early coupons, issued by merchants. Generally they have a
merchant's name or initials, sometimes a town and state, and a
value, such as "good for 10 cents" (or other denominations).
Tokens were issued by general stores, grocers, department
stores, dairies, meat markets, drug stores, saloons, bars,
taverns, barbers, coal mines, lumber mills and many other
businesses. The era of 1870 through 1920 marked the highest use
of "trade tokens" in the United States, spurred by the
proliferation of small stores in rural areas. Thousands of small
general stores and merchandise stores were to be found all over
the United States, and many of them used trade tokens to promote
trade and extend credit to customers.
This particular trade token was from my cousin who
operated a small dry goods store in New Madison, OH and is made
out of brass. |
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