Owner Comments:
BIMETALLIC TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
TOP POP: Almost Uncirculated — **Rarest Bimetal Token in this Collection**
Attractive, completely original, problem-free specimen with hints of remaining original luster in the brass portion of the token - On the reverse, an overstrike of the second "9" in "1899" can prominently be seen with the naked eye; Roughly ~90-degree die-rotation is also present, only adding to the overall rarity of the the issue.
BIMETALLIC TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Extremely rare bimetallic merchant token used by the 'Sarvis Timber Company' in Steamboat Springs, CO circa 1914-early 1920s for general merchandise. — 3 bimetal denominations were issued by the Sarvis Timber Company; 5C, 10C & 50C; all are exceedingly rare.
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As noted in the “rarity” section of this listing below, this example is by far the rarest bimetallic token in this collection. The issue alone is a sheer rarity in general. However, the following characteristics make is nearly illusive:
- Overstrike of the second "9" in "1899" on the obverse
- ~90 degree die-rotation
- Resides at the top of NGC’s population report
- Only example graded by NGC
- ~ 4 examples known to exist
- Completely problem free; grading NGC AU-50
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Not only are bimetallic tokens rare themselves, I’ve found problem-free examples to be even less common; particularly those in higher AU-mint state condition. This is likely due to their frequent usage during the era in which they were actually used as merchant trade tokens.
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Schenkman S65-5
Pritchard ST290-5
CMT S7835
RARITY: Pritchard estimates ~4 examples are known
(*TOP POP* NGC Pop = 1; None Finer - NGC Total Pop = 1) [04/2022]
**Only example graded by NGC**
NOTE: Valued by Pritchard at ~$128-$256 in 2004. This is among the highest price estimates of the thousands of listings in the guide. — Schenkman categorized the issue as rarity level “G" on an A-K scale; where A = Under $5 & K = over $200 in 1990.
BIMETALLIC TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Bimetallic [Brass/Aluminum], 20mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Sarvis Timber Company / General / Merchandise / Steamboat Springs, Colo.
REVERSE: Good for / 5 / Pat July 1899 / in Merchandise
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Steamboat Springs, Colorado):
"Steamboat Springs was named for the chugging sounds that the hot springs in the area made when settlers first arrived in the valley. The sound was reminescent of the sounds of the Mississipi River made by steamboats. Unfortunately, when the railroads moved in, the grating of the lines destroyed whatever feature caused the sounds and Steamboat Springs became silent." — Credited Source: Stuart Pritchard