Owner Comments:
TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Brilliant Gem: Type II
*Absolutely gorgeous, blazing golden gem. Deep lustrous fields, sharp detail in the devices/legends/lettering, and an excellent strike make for the beautiful specimen seen here. The exquisite detail of the elk on the obverse is astonishing and hard to look away from. - Trade token are rarely seen in brilliant gem state, leading one to believe this piece was likely stored away for years. - A fascinating and unique design gives this example a spectacular appeal.*
TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Token used by the Elks Club Lodge No. 309 in Colorado Springs, Colorado for 1 drink in trade; lodge was founded in 1894 as exhibited on the reverse.
—————
There are two varieties listed for this issue; both are rare. The type 1 includes “85 years of charity” on the reverse, while the type 2 does not. All other aspects of each are identical. The type 1 is rarer, with ~1 believed to exist. Whereas the type 2 listed here has an estimated survival rate of ~6 examples. As mentioned, both are quite rare indeed. Especially with this example in brilliant gem condition. - Both are listed in Pritchard, yet neither are in the CMT (Colorado Merchant Token) guide; yet another indication of rarity.
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Pritchard CO1025-Db
CMT (Unlisted)
RARITY: Pritchard estimates ~6 examples are known
NGC Census not available.
TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Brass, 34mm, around, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: B.P.O.E. (Elks Head on clock)
REVERSE: Colo. Springs Lodge 309 / Chartered / 1894 / Exchange for One Drink
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Colorado Springs, Colorado):
“Colorado Springs is often known as the ‘America the Beautiful’ city. Katherine Lee Bates, a visiting professor at the Colorado College, wrote the words to America the Beautiful after a wagon trip to the summit of Pikes Peak. She was staying in the Antlers Hotel at the time.” — Credited Source: Stuart Pritchard