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Exonumia

March 08, 2023

Exonumia are numismatic items (such as tokens, medals, or scrip) other than coins and paper money. This includes "Good For" tokens, badges, counterstamped coins, elongated coins, encased coins, souvenir medallions, tags, wooden nickels and other similar items. It is related to numismatics (concerned with coins which have been legal tender), and many coin collectors are also exonumists.

Assorted exonumia, including a poker chip and an elongated coin

Besides the above strict definition, others extend it to include non-coins which may or may not be legal tenders such as cheques, credit cards and similar paper. These can also be considered notaphily or scripophily.

Etymology

The noun exonumia is derived from two classical roots: exo, meaning "out-of" in Greek, and nummus, meaning "coin" in Latin (from Greek νοῦμμος – noummos, "coin"); thus, "out[side]-of-[the category]coins". Usually, the term "exonumia" is applied to these objects in the United States, while the equivalent British term is paranumismatica.

The words exonumist and exonumia were coined in July 1960 by Russell Rulau, a recognized authority and author on the subject, and accepted by Webster's dictionary in 1965.

Forms of exonumia: tokens and medals

Many tokens were produced and used as currency in the United States and elsewhere when there was a shortage of government-issued money. Tokens have been used for both to advertise and to facilitate commerce. Medals are generally not used as currency or for exchange. See the "for clarification" section below for distinctions between various branches of exonumia.

Token authority Russell Rulau offers a broad definition for exonumia, and lines between categories can be fuzzy. For example, an advertising token may also be considered a medal. Good For tokens may also advertise. Counter-stamped coins have been called "little billboards." Strictly, exonumia is anything not a governmental issue coin. This could almost mean anything coin-like.

The English term "para-numismatica", or alongside currency, appears more limiting, hinting that tokens must have some sort of “value” or monetary usage. One definition of para-numismatica is anything coin-like but not a coin. In America this is not the accepted usage. Rulau's 1040 page tome, UNITED STATES TOKENS: 1700–1900 [1] includes many tokens without any monetary value depicted on the token. While he included many items, the book is not exhaustive.

The following groupings of categories are continually expanding. One way of parsing tokens is into these three general categories:

  • Has a "value," facilitating commerce, such as Good for (something).
  • Commemoration, remembrance, dedication, or the like, for some person, place, idea or event.
  • Of a personal nature.

Typically, catalogs of tokens are organized by location, time period, and/or type of item. Historically, the need for tokens grew out of the need for currency. In America, some tokens legally circulated alongside or instead of currency up until recently. Hard Times Tokens and Civil War Tokens each were the size of the contemporary cent. Afterwards, value based items, such as Good for (amount of money), Good for One Quart of Milk, Good for One Beer, Good for One Ride… and others were specifically linked to commerce of the store or place of issue.

For clarity, exonumia are numismatic items, other than government coins or paper money, which can be studied or collected.

Numismatic = coins, paper money, exonumia (numismatist)
Exonumia = tokens, medals, badges, ribbons, etc. (exonumist)
Notaphily = paper money (notaphile/notaphiliac).
Scripophily = stock certificates (scripophilist, scripophilac)
Medals have a clear distinction from tokens in that there is no monetary value on the item, nor any intent to be used as money. (medalist)

Exonumists are attentive to not only the history behind the items but their shapes and what types of items they are.

Exonumia that is studied and collected

The following categories are typical. This is not all-inclusive but is a sampling of the wide variety of Exonumia:

Tokens

Modified/Augmented:

  • Love Token: A coin with hand engraving, generally on one side, or deliberately bent
  • Hobo nickels Indian Head/Buffalo nickel: Engraved by hand mostly in the era 1913–38, usually a modification of the Indian head
  • Carved Potty coins, usually Trade Dollars, to show lady Liberty sitting on a chamber pot
  • Counterstamped / countermarked coins (done by merchants or governments)
  • Cut Coins: Coins that are artistically carved creations made from genuine coins, both new and old, often for jewelry.
  • Elongated coins: Rolled out with advertising, commemorative, or souvenir designs on one side
  • Encased Coin: Generally in a ring with advertising
  • Encased Postage: Actual postage stamps mounted into a round frame with advertising on the other side
  • Colored or painted circulation or bullion issues
 
A Smokey Bear Geocoin

Play-Game money / Arcade Amusement / Novelty

Government Services & Non-National tools to Facilitate Commerce

  • Car wash tokens
  • Jetons: Used as counters when verifying totals or weights of coins for commerce and exchange
  • Evasion tokens: 18th century semi-counterfeit were made to look like kind of but not exactly like actual currency[2]
  • Sales tax tokens: Issued by states and merchants
  • Parking tokens: for meters or gates
  • Dog licence tags
  • Post office tags
  • Food stamps
  • Slave tags – slave hire badges (Tax Receipts)

Transportation Tokens

  • Ferries and watercraft
  • Buses
  • Subway
  • Trains
  • Trams
  • Trolleys

Closed Community / Membership

 
Obverse of a communion token from South Leith Parish Church

Unique material / shapes

Movements and ideals

  • Temperance
  • Anti-slavery
  • Religious (including temple tokens)
  • World's Fair (Expositions around the world)
  • Locations
  • City or state anniversary

Of a Personal nature – Personals

  • Key tags (e.g. In case lost return to …)
  • Badges
    • Company
    • Occupation
  • Hand-engraved or uniquely counterstamped coins, as pocket pieces
  • Watch fobs
 
A Great Western Railway pay cheque

By Issuer or for a Specific Person

  • Milk/dairy
  • Bakery token
  • Beer
  • Pub/bar/saloon
  • Billiards/pool
  • Cigar/smoke shops
  • Restroom tokens for pay toilet use
  • Doctors (including apothecary tokens)
  • Automobiles
  • George Washington medals
  • Presidents, governors, other politicians
  • Inventors and other important persons

Modern items under the exonumia umbrella include:

Rulau in his 1700–1900 book historically breaks down American tokens into these general time periods:

Even though the following are legitimate categories for exonumia, they are not included in the 1700–1900 reference.

  • Amusement tokens
  • Military
  • Prison
  • Telephone tokens
  • Political campaign tokens
  • Transportation tokens
  • Medals 33 mm and larger
  • And others (ex: Fisherman tokens, SEX tokens)

Typical ways exonumists may collect these items are by region, topic, type, shape or material. These different collecting preferences may change the ways tokens are documented. Frequently there are guides for particular states (by region), but conversely the guide could document national or international amusement tokens (type)

The general distinction between tokens and medals is that medals (both privately minted and minted by governments) primarily do not have an actual monetary amount or 'value' but generally are a commemoration of people, ideals, or places.

Various organizations:

  • TAMS (Token And Medal Society)
  • CWTS (Civil War Token Society)
  • MichTAMS (Michigan Token And Medal Society)

Other forms in Latin America

 
Copper trade token of Durfee & Peck, Indian traders on Missouri River in various locations, circa 1869

Another important area of token collecting is Latin American coffee or plantation tokens. Many but not all of these tokens were made in the United States while others were made in Europe and England. These tokens are circulated in more than one language although Spanish is the prevalent one. Plantation tokens can have an array of denominations and names. The name can be the owner or their relatives. Sometimes the token can have the name of the farm (or finca). Lastly, tokens had allegorical symbols to identify the owner. Very little documentation exists since the inception of Latin American tokens, therefore, many tokens cannot be verified as to who the real owner is or what the symbol or symbols meant.

Tokens in Latin America were used as currency since there was not enough official currency available. Customarily, workers could convert the tokens to official currency on Saturdays. It is widely understood that many plantation owners in Latin America had their own commissaries, therefore, the workers were able to use the farm owners tokens to pay for provisions. It is important to note that in the 19th century many of the plantation workers and families lived in the farm they worked on.

Latin American tokens were made in all types of base metals and alloys plus plastic, celluloid and bakelite. Unique to Costa Rica were tokens made in paper fashion, either uniface or printed on both sides. Many people call these paper chits. The word "Boleto" is used solely in Costa Rica for the word token whereas "ficha" is used in the rest of Latin America.

See also

References

  1. ^ Rulau, Russell. Standard Catalog United States Tokens 1700-1900. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ McKivor, Bill. "18th Century "EVASION" TOKENS". The Copper Corner. Retrieved 2017-01-30. The laws were written to cover Regal coinage. If a coin was made that was not an EXACT COPY of the Regal coin, it was considered to be a token, and the law did not apply. Thus, the counterfeiters simply switched from making counterfeit coins to making "Evasion" token coinage that looked somewhat like the regal coin.

Further reading

  • Coin-Gallery.com glossary
  • PlantageGeld, Plantation tokens, mainly Netherlands East Indies (Sumatra and Java), British North Borneo and Ceylon
  • 24carat.co.UK Numismatic jargon – Coin terms
  • Chicago Coin Club Reference
  • Canadiancoin.com, dictionary
  • CostaRicaTokens.com – Costa Rica Tokens
  • , an educational website on trade tokens
  • Médailles Jeanne d’Arc, French site containing pictures and descriptions of Medallions devoted to Joan of Arc
  • Latin American Tokens: An Illustrated, Priced Catalog of the Unofficial Coinage of Latin America—Used in Plantation, Mine, Mill, and Dock—From 1700 to the 20th Century by Russell Rulau

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Exonumia collections.
  • Richard's Token Database Searchable database for Good For's and other items

March 08, 2023
exonumia, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, december, 2011, learn, when, remove, this, template, message, numism. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Exonumia are numismatic items such as tokens medals or scrip other than coins and paper money This includes Good For tokens badges counterstamped coins elongated coins encased coins souvenir medallions tags wooden nickels and other similar items It is related to numismatics concerned with coins which have been legal tender and many coin collectors are also exonumists Assorted exonumia including a poker chip and an elongated coin Besides the above strict definition others extend it to include non coins which may or may not be legal tenders such as cheques credit cards and similar paper These can also be considered notaphily or scripophily Contents 1 Etymology 2 Forms of exonumia tokens and medals 2 1 Exonumia that is studied and collected 3 Other forms in Latin America 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksEtymology EditThe noun exonumia is derived from two classical roots exo meaning out of in Greek and nummus meaning coin in Latin from Greek noῦmmos noummos coin thus out side of the category coins Usually the term exonumia is applied to these objects in the United States while the equivalent British term is paranumismatica The words exonumist and exonumia were coined in July 1960 by Russell Rulau a recognized authority and author on the subject and accepted by Webster s dictionary in 1965 Forms of exonumia tokens and medals EditMany tokens were produced and used as currency in the United States and elsewhere when there was a shortage of government issued money Tokens have been used for both to advertise and to facilitate commerce Medals are generally not used as currency or for exchange See the for clarification section below for distinctions between various branches of exonumia Token authority Russell Rulau offers a broad definition for exonumia and lines between categories can be fuzzy For example an advertising token may also be considered a medal Good For tokens may also advertise Counter stamped coins have been called little billboards Strictly exonumia is anything not a governmental issue coin This could almost mean anything coin like The English term para numismatica or alongside currency appears more limiting hinting that tokens must have some sort of value or monetary usage One definition of para numismatica is anything coin like but not a coin In America this is not the accepted usage Rulau s 1040 page tome UNITED STATES TOKENS 1700 1900 1 includes many tokens without any monetary value depicted on the token While he included many items the book is not exhaustive The following groupings of categories are continually expanding One way of parsing tokens is into these three general categories Has a value facilitating commerce such as Good for something Commemoration remembrance dedication or the like for some person place idea or event Of a personal nature Typically catalogs of tokens are organized by location time period and or type of item Historically the need for tokens grew out of the need for currency In America some tokens legally circulated alongside or instead of currency up until recently Hard Times Tokens and Civil War Tokens each were the size of the contemporary cent Afterwards value based items such as Good for amount of money Good for One Quart of Milk Good for One Beer Good for One Ride and others were specifically linked to commerce of the store or place of issue For clarity exonumia are numismatic items other than government coins or paper money which can be studied or collected Numismatic coins paper money exonumia numismatist Exonumia tokens medals badges ribbons etc exonumist Notaphily paper money notaphile notaphiliac Scripophily stock certificates scripophilist scripophilac Medals have a clear distinction from tokens in that there is no monetary value on the item nor any intent to be used as money medalist Exonumists are attentive to not only the history behind the items but their shapes and what types of items they are Exonumia that is studied and collected Edit The following categories are typical This is not all inclusive but is a sampling of the wide variety of Exonumia TokensModified Augmented Love Token A coin with hand engraving generally on one side or deliberately bent Hobo nickels Indian Head Buffalo nickel Engraved by hand mostly in the era 1913 38 usually a modification of the Indian head Carved Potty coins usually Trade Dollars to show lady Liberty sitting on a chamber pot Counterstamped countermarked coins done by merchants or governments Cut Coins Coins that are artistically carved creations made from genuine coins both new and old often for jewelry Elongated coins Rolled out with advertising commemorative or souvenir designs on one side Encased Coin Generally in a ring with advertising Encased Postage Actual postage stamps mounted into a round frame with advertising on the other side Colored or painted circulation or bullion issues A Smokey Bear Geocoin Play Game money Arcade Amusement Novelty Arcade tokens Amusement Game Counter Play money Novelty money Peep show Casino Slot tokens Casino chips Geocoins used in geocaching Mardi Gras DoubloonsGovernment Services amp Non National tools to Facilitate Commerce Car wash tokens Jetons Used as counters when verifying totals or weights of coins for commerce and exchange Evasion tokens 18th century semi counterfeit were made to look like kind of but not exactly like actual currency 2 Sales tax tokens Issued by states and merchants Parking tokens for meters or gates Dog licence tags Post office tags Food stamps Slave tags slave hire badges Tax Receipts Transportation Tokens Ferries and watercraft Buses Subway Trains Trams TrolleysClosed Community Membership Company store Company scrip Ingle Credit System script Lumber Mining Plantation Civilian Conservation Corps CCC College Currency Military Challenge Military Store and Entertainment Picker tokens for crops Prison and Correctional Asylums Fraternal Masonic Elks Moose Eagles Woodmen of the World Obverse of a communion token from South Leith Parish Church Communion tokens given to congregation members in good standing to permit them to participate in Holy Communion Unique material shapes Wooden nickels Cardboard or paper Hard rubber or vulcanite Advertising pocket mirrorsMovements and ideals Temperance Anti slavery Religious including temple tokens World s Fair Expositions around the world Locations City or state anniversaryOf a Personal nature Personals Key tags e g In case lost return to Badges Company Occupation Hand engraved or uniquely counterstamped coins as pocket pieces Watch fobs A Great Western Railway pay cheque By Issuer or for a Specific Person Milk dairy Bakery token Beer Pub bar saloon Billiards pool Cigar smoke shops Restroom tokens for pay toilet use Doctors including apothecary tokens Automobiles George Washington medals Presidents governors other politicians Inventors and other important personsModern items under the exonumia umbrella include Credit cards Gift cards Gift cards have been replacing the giving of cash for events Telephone cards Music cardsRulau in his 1700 1900 book historically breaks down American tokens into these general time periods Early American Hard times tokens were made during the hard times after President Andrew Jackson shut down the Second Bank of the United States These also were issued privately to circulate in the local economy as a one cent coin They had a wide variety of subject matter anti slavery anti Jackson Merchant including modern gas tokens ex Shell tokens American Civil War Trade tokens Gay 90sEven though the following are legitimate categories for exonumia they are not included in the 1700 1900 reference Amusement tokens Military Prison Telephone tokens Political campaign tokens Transportation tokens Medals 33 mm and larger And others ex Fisherman tokens SEX tokens Typical ways exonumists may collect these items are by region topic type shape or material These different collecting preferences may change the ways tokens are documented Frequently there are guides for particular states by region but conversely the guide could document national or international amusement tokens type The general distinction between tokens and medals is that medals both privately minted and minted by governments primarily do not have an actual monetary amount or value but generally are a commemoration of people ideals or places Various organizations TAMS Token And Medal Society CWTS Civil War Token Society MichTAMS Michigan Token And Medal Society Other forms in Latin America Edit Copper trade token of Durfee amp Peck Indian traders on Missouri River in various locations circa 1869 Another important area of token collecting is Latin American coffee or plantation tokens Many but not all of these tokens were made in the United States while others were made in Europe and England These tokens are circulated in more than one language although Spanish is the prevalent one Plantation tokens can have an array of denominations and names The name can be the owner or their relatives Sometimes the token can have the name of the farm or finca Lastly tokens had allegorical symbols to identify the owner Very little documentation exists since the inception of Latin American tokens therefore many tokens cannot be verified as to who the real owner is or what the symbol or symbols meant Tokens in Latin America were used as currency since there was not enough official currency available Customarily workers could convert the tokens to official currency on Saturdays It is widely understood that many plantation owners in Latin America had their own commissaries therefore the workers were able to use the farm owners tokens to pay for provisions It is important to note that in the 19th century many of the plantation workers and families lived in the farm they worked on Latin American tokens were made in all types of base metals and alloys plus plastic celluloid and bakelite Unique to Costa Rica were tokens made in paper fashion either uniface or printed on both sides Many people call these paper chits The word Boleto is used solely in Costa Rica for the word token whereas ficha is used in the rest of Latin America See also Edit Numismatics portalCoin Currency Numismatics Token coins Scrip ParaphilatelyReferences Edit Rulau Russell Standard Catalog United States Tokens 1700 1900 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a access date requires url help McKivor Bill 18th Century EVASION TOKENS The Copper Corner Retrieved 2017 01 30 The laws were written to cover Regal coinage If a coin was made that was not an EXACT COPY of the Regal coin it was considered to be a token and the law did not apply Thus the counterfeiters simply switched from making counterfeit coins to making Evasion token coinage that looked somewhat like the regal coin Further reading EditCoin Gallery com glossary PlantageGeld Plantation tokens mainly Netherlands East Indies Sumatra and Java British North Borneo and Ceylon 24carat co UK Numismatic jargon Coin terms Chicago Coin Club Reference Canadiancoin com dictionary Australianstamp com Glossary of Numismatic terms CostaRicaTokens com Costa Rica Tokens Token Tales an educational website on trade tokens Medailles Jeanne d Arc French site containing pictures and descriptions of Medallions devoted to Joan of Arc Latin American Tokens An Illustrated Priced Catalog of the Unofficial Coinage of Latin America Used in Plantation Mine Mill and Dock From 1700 to the 20th Century by Russell RulauExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Exonumia collections Richard s Token Database Searchable database for Good For s and other items Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Exonumia amp oldid 1143094770, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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