Tokens & Medals

Explore fascinating tales of currency substitutes and bold, artistic works told by the hobby’s leading experts.

Bottoms Up!

September 12, 2024

3 min read

A 19th-century liquor wholesaler issued a merchant token to drum up business at his Tacoma-based establishment.

Bottoms Up!

Trip Cancellation

September 9, 2024

5 min read

A medal was issued for President William McKinley’s planned visit to Montana in 1901, but the tour never took place.

Trip Cancellation

Tracking Down Mavericks

August 7, 2024

5 min read

Uncommon names and unusual locations are helpful clues when trying to identify tokens issued by unknown merchants.

Tracking Down Mavericks

Effervescent Remedy

July 2, 2024

4 min read

A chemist who developed a drug to relieve headaches relied heavily on all forms of advertising to promote his cure.

Effervescent Remedy

Behind the Badge

July 1, 2024

1 min read

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture recently acquired nearly 150 historic Charleston slave badges.

Behind the Badge

Flying High

June 4, 2024

5 min read

Civilian and military aviators thrilled spectators with aerial stunts, mock battles, and evening shows at the 1926 National Air Races.

Flying High

Judy’s Magic Touch

May 1, 2024

5 min read

A teacher turned farmer achieved success as a financier and established a town in Indiana that bears his name.

Judy’s Magic Touch

Sweet Sensation

April 1, 2024

4 min read

Tokens were issued for a convention organized by American confectioners that took place  the week after the 1893 Columbian Exposition ended.

Sweet Sensation

A “Depotel” Token

March 5, 2024

6 min read

A businessman issued tokens for customers who purchased a roundtrip bus ride in Fargo, North Dakota.

A “Depotel” Token

Mining Meeting

February 6, 2024

5 min read

Organizers of the North West Mining Convention in Spokane, Washington, produced a variety of badges for the event. 

Mining Meeting

The Lincoln-Gardner Token

January 9, 2024

3 min read

Many coin-related items have intriguing stories to share, and this exception token with ties to a famous president is no exception.

The Lincoln-Gardner Token

Family Fund Society

January 3, 2024

4 min read

A 19th-century life insurance company ran into legal  trouble when it failed to pay its members as promised.

Family Fund Society

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