Owner Comments:
TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Almost Uncirculated — Type III (“…” Included on Obverse)
*Light, even wear on the lower points of the obverse devices. Interestingly, the mid-high points (2 1/2¢) appears to be the most defined, well struck area with little to no wear. - Vatious shades of light/dark brown and tan give this problem-free piece character and a particular historic appeal. - An fascinating uniface token which is very scarce. I have only ever seen 1 other example and it was listed at $300 in a significantly more worn state.*
TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Token used at “F.M.” in Denver, CO for 2.5C in trade circa 1898-1915. The establishment is listed as a Presidential Art Gallery & Saloon located at 518 18th Street as noted on the obverse.
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Interestingly, there are four distinct F.M. 2.5C varieties; all are rare. Of the four listed, the highest survival rate of any issue is just 6; whereas the range for all is 2-6 known. The Type III variety shown here is the third rarest of the four, yet separated by single digits. To give context to the four types, their details are listed below:
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- Type I: Round Shaped - “518” included on obverse as just “518” with no “-18” or “St.” (Pritchard DE3315/CMT DE2705): ~3 Known
- Type II: Octagonal Shaped - “518” included on obverse as “518-18 St.” (Pritchard DE3316-2a/CMT UNL): ~2 Known
- Type III: Round Shaped - “…” included on obverse before “518-18 St.” (Pritchard DE3316-2b/CMT 2707): ~4 Known *Included in Collection Here*
- Type IV: Round Shaped - Same as Type III but no “…” before “518-18 St.” (Pritchard DE3316-2c/CMT DE2709): ~6 Known
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Pritchard DE3316-2b
CMT 2707
RARITY: Pritchard estimates ~4 examples are known
NGC Census not available.
TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Brass, 25mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: F.M. / 2½¢ / … / 518-18 St.
REVERSE: (Uniface)
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Denver, Colorado):
"Industrious people used to pan for gold that washed off the capital building roof until the state put a gold recovery system in to recover gold leafing weathered off the building.” — Credited Source: Stuart Pritchard