Owner Comments:
TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Brilliant Gem Uncirculated+ — Type I (Round Propellor Design)
*A truly stunning gem with exceptional eye-appeal. Auriferous gold and deep apricot hues enhance the brilliance and luster of this handsome example. Near proof-like fields are exhibited as light reflects from the surfaces incredibly well.
Larger overall token which is always much more difficult to preserve, as contact marks/imperfections are more likely to occur with greater surface area.*
TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Token used by the “Elks Club No. 507” in Durango, Colorado for 25C in trade circa early 20th century.
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There are two 25C varieties listed for the Elks Club No. 507; both are relatively common. To provide context, the Type I, as shown here, includes a round propeller design on the obverse; The Type II exhibits a sharp propeller design. — Although a some common issue, this is what allows one to obtain a stunning, high grade example of an early 20th century piece. This only adds to its overall value, as related issues were widely used/circulated during their era.
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Pritchard DU281-25a
CMT D2500b
RARITY: Pritchard estimates greater than 75 examples are known
NGC Census not available.
TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Brass, 32mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Elks Club / No. 507 / Durango, / Colo. (props)
REVERSE: Good for / 25¢ / in Merchandise
(Sharp Propeller Design)
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Durango, Colorado):
“Durango was founded in 1880 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway. Durango was the site where Horace Tabor secretly filed divorce papers against his wife Baby Doe. The wild town honored gambler Henry Moormon with the first lynching. There are stories of lost gold mines. On at least three occasions, men came into Durango with gold to be sold and headed back into the mountains never to be seen again. Mystery still unsolved.” — Credited Source: Stuart Pritchard