You are in the Money Museum in the Bank of Beadtown

Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels

This display is devoted to tokens. Tokens are coins issued by an entity other than a national government. They are quite interesting and will have their own gallery one day. In the meantime, here is a short introduction to some.

Here are some wooden nickels in my collection. Sometimes you can take them. Many towns, commissions and other authorities issue them. People buy them at face value to help sponsor some event or to keep as souvenirs. They usually expire on a certain date and it is sometimes noted that they can be redeemed at any local bank.

Upper left: Salina, Kansas Centennial, 1958. Far right: Niagara County, New York Celebration 1959. Center: Pierre, South Dakota 75th Anniversary, 1955. Lower left: Old Fort Niagara, New York Bicentennial, 1959. Lower right: Buffalo, New York 125th Anniversary, 1957.

A more expensive token. It is made of brass and was worth a half a dollar. It was issued in 1961 to celebrate the Centennial of Ellsworth, Kansas. Ellsworth is my hometown. It is the county seat of Ellsworth country, immediately east of Russell County. Yes, that's where Bob Dole comes from. Yes, I have known him for years.

 

A most unusual token. For one thing, it is made of porcelain. For another, it is a gambling token, similar to casino chips. I believe, but am not sure (can anyone help?) that these circulated in the general market as well. It was made in the 19th century in Siam, the country now called Thailand, "the Land of the Free."

 

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