Owner Comments:
BIMETALLIC TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Extremely Fine: Details (Improperly Cleaned)
*Even wear and contact marks give character to this particular piece which most certainly circulated during its era of usage. All words/legends are fully legible. A pleasing and historic overall specimen of this rare bimetallic token. — Evidence of light improper cleaning can be observed on the aluminum portion of the token on the obverse.*
BIMETALLIC TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Bimetallic issue struck for “The Craig Billiard and Bowling Parlor” circa 1913 in Craig, Colorado. Stuart Pritchard notes this as a Billiard Parlor which was owned by local proprietor Lewis Yost which as shown on the obverse. Token was used for 25C in trade.
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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.
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Only bimetallic issue from Craig, Colorado. No other denominations or varieties exist. Therefore, the one included here completes the set for the given town.1 of just ~23 known to exist.
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Schenkman C305-25
Pritchard CR138
CMT 3930
RARITY: Pritchard estimates ~23 examples are known.
NGC Census not available.
BIMETALLIC TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Craig, Colorado, Bimetal [Brass/Aluminum], 28mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: The Craig Billiard / and / Bowling / Parlor / Lewis Yost Prop.
REVERSE: Good for / 25 / in Merchandise / Pat. / July 1899
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Craig, Colorado):
“With the added production of oil from the Craig area, Colorado exceeded an annual production of one million barrels of oil.” — Credited Source: Stuart Pritchard