Owner Comments:
TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Almost Uncirculated+
*A fascinating, historic, and beautiful overall piece. Officially in a grade just under mint-state, this specimen is undoubtedly one of my favorite merchant trade tokens in this collection. Not only is it exceptionally rare, the design is far from the standard/norm in what so many trade tokens follow. In particular, the Colorado state seal as the reverse design is particularly interesting and alluring. The character of the overall problem-free specimen truly speaks to me as a collector. - The eye-appeal alone is excellent for an AU-55 example.*
TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Token used by the “Syman Brothers Jewelry Company” in Denver, Colorado for “compliments of” circa early 20th century. The establishment was located at 828 16th Street as noted on the obverse.
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There is only one issue listed under the Syman Bros. Jewelry Company and just “one” example believed to exist. Therefore, the historic value of this piece is unmatched; an interestingly unique design, the only issue listed by this company, 1 example known to exist, and in a problem-free state of AU-55. — To provide further context of its rarity, this issue is listed in Pritchard but shows as “unlisted” in the CMT (Colorado Merchant Token) guide.
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Pritchard DE6975
CMT (Unlisted)
RARITY: Pritchard estimates ~1 example is known
NGC Census not available.
TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Aluminum, 29mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Compliments of / The / Syman Bros. / Jewelry / Company / 828-16th St. Denver
REVERSE: Colorado / (State Seal)
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Denver, Colorado):
"Industious people used to pan he gold 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