Collecting Old Western Trade Tokens

by Robert “Bob” Temarantz

In the late 19th and early 20th century, money just couldn't travel quickly into the remote locales that needed it. Banks had to send money on stage coaches like the ones used in Wells Fargo advertisements, and by the Pony Express. Even though many goods were transported by train as the west was settled, boom and bust cycles sent large numbers of men and fewer women into some undeveloped territories in Alaska, Arizona, California, and other remote parts of the American West.

Many of the people who settled the American West were poor, if not penniless. As more people flooded the countryside with less money in their pockets, it was only a matter of time before circulating money became scarce.

Another factor that comes into play is where these saloons are often found. The answer is mining camps. Mining companies in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and other states would hire miners and put them on payroll. The miners then bought their food from a company grocery store, and often bought supplies needed to do their jobs from the mining company. These expenses were deducted from miner's pay. This system, commonly used by mines in the late 19th century, was called paying by scrip. The result was not much legal tender cash flowing through the mining community. So the saloon owners, grocery stores, and dairy owners did what they had to do--they made their own coin-like tokens to expedite trade for their goods and services, and keep the money out of the pocket of the mining companies.

Collecting old western state saloon tokens is my favorite. Tokens were "minted" during the heyday of western saloons, roughly from about 1870 to 1910--earlier in some locales, and later in others. They were made out brass or aluminum.

The wild west is riddled with ghost towns that emerged from the activities of mining camps and mining companies, but also were found in more settled-in the Western United States, like El Paso, Texas, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Denver, Colorado, Bisbee and Tucson, Arizona, and select cities in California.

Saloon tokens reflects the romantic history of the old west. We’ve all seen the old TV series “Gunsmoke” with Marshall Dillon and Miss Kitty. She was the owner of the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, Kansas, hosting the likes of Doc Holliday and the Earp Brothers of Dodge City and later of Tombstone, www.stephaniedsandersactress.com Bookstephaniedsanders@yahoo.com

Arizona Territory. There are actually authentic tokens from these old west towns the Earps, Billy the Kid and other infamous outlaws actually could’ve used.

Saloon tokens were often “good for a drink”, a cigar or 12 1/2c in trade or a bit. A drink back then would 15c a shot. The customer would order a drink and pay with a quarter(two bits). The customer would be offered 10c change back or a token good for another drink, 12 1/2c. The customer benefits getting token worth another drink and the saloon benefits by keeping the dime in change.

So how can you collect tokens? I find them in coin stores, on line bidding sites such as EBay, antique stores and by people who metal detect coins. Tokens can range in value from $10 up to hundreds of dollars, depending on where they are from and the rarity of the token.

Collecting tokens is fun, challenging and can be rewarding.

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Hi my name is Naomi and I am YPWP (Young Person With Purpose). I will be writing for Sarah magazine representing the young people. In each issue, I will be sharing all types things and interviewing other young people with purpose. In this issue it’s all about the challenges we face as young Christians and how to stay focused. I will be sharing with you some tips on what I do. I pray it will help you as well.

Let’s Get Started…

1. What are some of the challenges that young people face today?

Aleah: I think that there are many challenges that have only recently emerged in our society, such as the fear of being vulnerable and guarding yourself against people who act fake in person or online.

Manga: I believe teens are struggling with desperately seeking the face of God due to things like social media or even their young age

My Answer: I believe some challenges teens face today is being too hard on themselves when we don't live up to “perfect expectations” through our walk with God. For example: Not reading our Bible every day or maybe feeling like our prayers aren't good enough. In reality no one can ever be perfect and we all fall short to the glory of God.

2. What are some of the challenges you face as a Christian youth?

Aleah: personally, I have been faced with the difficulty of being and outsider who sees the world through a biblical lens. It’s hard to be one of the few who view the world the way the bible teaches us to.

Manga: I struggle with immaturity and inconsistency. For inconsistency it’s more like some days I’m breaking the habits I built with God. So, for example if I say I’m going to read two chapters a day, I end up not reading two chapters or any chapters at all. And there days where I go without praying or talking to God like I should.

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For the immaturity part, its things like me not being able to discern or understand things of the spirit. Also falling into sin, I know how to get out of.

My Answer: Some challenges I face is keeping God as the center of my life and in everything I do. I realize that doing this is the key to a lot of things like positive mindset, love, hard work and much more. But it truly is a struggle to keep God a constant thought on my mind due to so many distractions

3. How are you navigating through these challenges?

Aleah: Luckily, I have an incredible bunch of girls at my church’s youth group. I have shared and opened up to them, and they have given me the wonderful support I need to power through. They pray for me and we do bible study, it’s a good environment.

Manga: Spending more time in prayer and conversation with God. Trying to mimic many of the things Jesus did when he was on earth.

My Answer: Saying yes to more things that involve church and God in my life. If I surround myself with Godly work and Godly assignments all the time what else can I think about �. I also want to try doing this thing where I write a different verse on my hand every day so whenever I'm doing something, I’ll get a glimpse of my hand and start thinking about that verse\God. I also try to think of the situations I will be in a day ahead of time and try to think of how I can incorporate Gods will in that situation. And if I can't think of a specific thing then I always go back to the greatest commandment which is simply to just love.

Asking for advice and encouragement from older and more experienced Christians is a wonderful idea! This is for both in the church stuff and outside of the church stuff. My youth pastor has given me countless advice all the time and it always gives me new hope, encouragement, and inspiration to keep on doing what I'm doing. Don't be ashamed or afraid to ask those more knowledgeable than you for help. Over the last few months, I have learned that many people are rooting for you and are happy to help.

I hope you enjoyed reading my page. I will be sharing more helpful tips in the next issue. If you have questions for me or would like to answer the previous questions, send them to mysarahmagazine@gmail.com. Make sure you say it’s a Y.P.W.P. question. I will answer in the next issue. See you next time…