Owner Comments:
TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Uncirculated: Details (Improperly Cleaned)
*A fascinating piece minted with an intentional heart-shaped cut-out; Lustrous surfaces illuminate a deep reddish-brown; Sharp uncirculated strike with evenly toned fields/devices - Copper trade tokens of the era are not as common as brass issues, making this example all the more appealing.*
TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Trade token used by the Alamo Mercantile Company for general merchandise in Alamo, CO circa early-1900s. — Although Pritchard lists this piece as brass, it was vertified as and is clearly copper. This could potentially be an extremely rare trial piece — Pritchard estimates just ~27 examples are known to exist.
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Only 10 trade/merchant token issues have been documented from Alamo, Colorado; 6 of which belong to the Alamo Mercantile Company (5C, 10C, 25C, 50C, $1.00 & $2.00), this being the 25C variety. Of the 6 Alamo Mercantile Co. issues, the 5C, 10C and 25C all have an estimated survival rate of 24-27 examples. The most common is the 50C variety with 75+ believed to exist.
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Pritchard AL100-25
CMT A710c
RARITY: Pritchard estimates ~27 examples are known
NGC Census not available.
TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Copper, 24mm, Round, Heart-Shaped Cut-Out, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: The Alamo Mercantile Co. / 25 / Alamo, Col.
REVERSE: 25 (ORC-1)
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Alamo, Colorado):
"Not much is known about Alamo. About two dozen foundations remain in present day, along with the remains of one large building's four walls. A new house has been built behind the building, possibly using some of the same bricks, but it is definitely newer and appears to have the same architectural style. Witnesses have seen signs labeled 'Alamo site #1-#12.' Trees have grown now, so it is hard to see the entire site without walking it all. The small area is now a ghost town." -- Colorado Ghost Towns and Historical Photography — Credited Source: Coloradopast.com