Owner Comments:
BIMETALLIC TOKEN APPEARANCE/DESCRIPTION:
TOP POP: Extremely Fine 45 — Schenkman E105-5/Pritchard FO-265-5/CMT F2585a (Type B - Long ¢ facing rightward)
*A relatively detailed, extremely fine example of this rare “Type B” variety. Stronger detail can be observed in the elk head on the obverse in comparison to its “Type A” counterpart (also included in this collection). All devices/legends are both distinguishable and legible. This scarce example was clearly used for trade during its time. A pleasing, problem free specimen struck in unique bimetallic fashion. Although worn at the high points, the specimen alone is very rare.*
BIMETALLIC TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Bimetallic issue struck for the Elks Club Lodge No. 804 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Token was used for 5C in trade.
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Not only are bimetallic tokens rare themselves, I’ve found problem-free examples to be even less common; particularly those in higher AU-mint state condition. This is likely due to their frequent usage during the era in which they were actually used as merchant trade tokens.
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“All” 3 bi-metallic issues (and 4 varieties) from the Elks Club No. 804 reside in this collection and “all” are problem-free (5C[Variety a; b]/25C/50C). Note that there are 2 examples of the 5C variety. Although listed under the same catalog number in Schenkman, Pritchard, and CMT, the line in the ¢ symbol on the reverse of the VF-20 example is shorter and points leftward. However, the line in the ¢ symbol on the XF-45 example is longer and rightward facing. Clearly, these are two separate distinguishable varieties of the same issue. Making this entire sub-set not just uncommon, but significantly rare for the reasons explained above. Their associated catalog numbers by Schenkman, Pritchard and Colorado Merchant Token guide (CMT) are shown below to allow for greater historical accuracy and authenticity.
Schenkman E105-5/Pritchard FO-265-5/CMT F2585a (NGC VF-20: 5C) Type A - Short ¢ facing leftward: ~6 Known (Includes both A &B)
- Schenkman E105-5/Pritchard FO-265-5/CMT F2585a (NGC XF-45: 5C) Type B - Long ¢ facing rightward: ~6 Known (Includes both A & B)
- Schenkman E105-25/Pritchard FO-265-25/CMT F2585b (NGC MS-61: 25C): ~3 Known
- Schenkman E105-50/Pritchard FO-265-50/CMT F2585c (NGC AU-55: 50C): ~3 Known
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
“Type B”
Schenkman E105-5
Pritchard FO-265-5
CMT F2585a
RARITY: Pritchard estimates ~6 examples are known to exist. Unknown how many of each sub-variety (a; b) are known and/or how rare they are respective to one another.
(*TOP POP* NGC Pop = 1; NONE Finer - NGC Total Pop = 2) [04/2022]
**NOTE: Both examples graded by NGC reside in this collection.
BIMETALLIC TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Fort Collins, Colorado, Bimetal [Brass/Aluminum], 19mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Elks Club / (Elks Head) / 804
REVERSE: Good for / 5¢ / in Trade
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Fort Collins, Colorado):
Fort Collins is the former site of Camp Collins, established to protect the Overland Trail during the Indian uprisings of the 1860s-early 1870s. Fort Collins houses the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. If the city hall, bank and other buildings in Fort Collins look familiar, it’s because you may have seen copies on Main Street in Disneyland.” — Credited Source: Stuart Pritchard