Tag Archives: tokens

Mercer County Provisional

Here’s another in our series of the many different Illinois provisional sales tax tokens.

This is the provisional token from Mercer County, IL. It is listed in the M&D book as number “L61”, held the value of a quarter of a cent at the time, had a rarity rating of R1 at the time of the M&D book and is made of copper.

MVC-635F

MVC-636F

Rossville Provisional

Here’s another in our series of the many different Illinois provisional sales tax tokens.

This is the provisional token from Rossville, IL. It is listed in the M&D book as number “L89”, held the value of a quarter of a cent at the time, had a rarity rating of R5 at the time of the M&D book and is made of aluminum.

The initials “B.M.A.” on the token stand for “Business Mens Association”.

MVC-989F

MVC-990F

La Salle Provisional

Here’s another in our series of the many different Illinois provisional sales tax tokens.

This is the provisional token from La Salle, IL and was redeemable at the Chamber of Commerce. It is listed in the M&D book as number “L54”, held the value of a quarter of a cent at the time, had a rarity rating of R3 at the time of the M&D book and is made of copper.

You may notice that this is the first of the Illinois tokens that I’ve posted which has the same front & back.

MVC-982F

Monmouth Provisional

Here’s another in our series of the many different Illinois provisional sales tax tokens.

This is the provisional token from Monmouth, IL. It is listed in the M&D book as number “L65”, held the value of a quarter of a cent at the time, had a rarity rating of R5 at the time of the M&D book and is made of aluminum.

The rear of the token has the text “Retail Merchants Association”.

MVC-991F

MVC-992F

Gillespie Provisional

Here’s another in our series of the many different Illinois provisional sales tax tokens.

This is the provisional token from Gillespie, IL. It is listed in the M&D book as number “L41”, held the value of a quarter of a cent at the time, had a rarity rating of R3 at the time of the M&D book and is made of brass.

An interesting thing about this token is that it says “United States Money” on the rear.

MVC-979F (2)

MVC-980F (2)

Hoopeston Provisional

Here’s another in our series of the many different Illinois provisional sales tax tokens.

This is the provisional token from Hoopeston Chamber of Commerce. It is listed in the M&D book as number “L42”, held the value of a quarter of a cent at the time, had a rarity rating of R3 at the time of the M&D book and is made of aluminum.

I’ve said twice now that the token in question “had a rarity rating of [such-and-such] at the time of the M&D book” because the book is now 20 years old and it’s always possible that the rarity might have changed. Currently, Monte Dean is working on a new book (the 4th volume in his series) which is due out next Spring, and I’m sure that we can expect many of these rarity ratings to be updated.

MVC-977F (2)

MVC-978F (2)

Cambridge Provisional

Let’s begin a new series of photos, exploring some of the many different Illinois provisional sales tax tokens.

Our hope is that this series, over time, will help serve as a resource for the new collector. As well, these photos may help remind some of the seasoned collectors about a time in their own history when these “common” tokens seemed elusive.

If you’ve got a story connected to a specific token that we post a photo of, please feel free to take advantage of the “reply” section and tell us your tale, no matter how mundane it may seem to you!

To begin, let’s take a look at the Cambridge provisional token. Listed in the M&D book as number “L8”, it was redeemable at the Lion’s Club, worth a quarter of a cent at the time, had a rarity rating of R3 at the time of the M&D book and is made from copper.

MVC-975F (2)

MVC-976F (2)

Missouri State Auditor Forrest Smith (1886-1962)

Continuing from yesterday’s post… it was noted that Forrest Smith somehow misspelled his own name, in his signature that appears on the missing Missouri pattern, which was featured yesterday.

Monte was kind enough to offer up some additional information on the matter, along with some new photographs. Taken from the comments section yesterday, Monte explained:

Not only was Forrest misspelled on this zinc pattern, but on 4 other patterns from the state of Missouri as well. Additionally, his name was misspelled that way on a couple of the early (1936, 1937) State Rules and Regulations booklets and on one of his campaign pin-back buttons for the position of State Auditor when he ran for a second term. Forrest Smith is also the only known human to have had his name appear on a roll and box from ANY state, on Missouri zinc tokens, although his name was spelled correctly on those (they are not listed in the M&D).

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