Owner Comments:
TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Very Fine — Octagonal Shaped
*Although even wear is exhibited throughout, this specimen is a pleasing example of an incredibly rare issue from an uncommon Coloradan town; Cedar Edge. Token was certainly circulated, yet has retained bold lettering/legends, all of which are fully legible.*
TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Token struck for “Thomas N. Lowe” in Cedaredge, Colorado for 5C in trade circa 1908-1909. Pritchard notes this as a a general merchandise store which was owned by local proprietor Thomas Lowe as shown on the obverse.
—————
5 issues are listed for by Thomas N. Lowe of Cedaredge, CO (Two 5C varieties, 10C & two 50C varieties); all are rare. Of the 5, “none” have an estimated survival rate of more than 5 examples. This gives context to the rarity of not just this token, but the entire Thomas N. Lowe series. Additionally, all 5 are listed by Pritchard, but none are in the CMT (Colorado Merchant Tokens) guide. Pritchard estimates a mere ~5 examples of the 5C variety listed here are known to exist. Further indication of rarity is exhibited by the fact Pritchard has a photograph listed in his guide of this particular issue (Plate 22 “Miscellaneous”). Only a handful of extremely rare issues throughout the guide have photos.
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Pritchard CE102-5
CMT (Unlisted)
TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Aluminum, 20mm, Octagonal, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Thomas N. Lowe/ Cedaredge / Colo.
REVERSE: Good for / 5¢ / in Trade
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Cedaredge, Colorado):
“Founded in 1892 and incorporated in 1907, the Town’s economy was based on coal waning, agriculture, and ranching.“ — Credited Source: Stuart Pritchard