We are all familiar with the flat, typically round pieces of stamped metal called coins. The less familiar token is a coin-like object that serves as money but is not issued by a government. They are usually metallic but can also be made of other materials such as plastic or wood.
Tokens rarely have intrinsic value from a precious metal (gold, silver, copper), and their design is usually modest. Historically, businesses issued tokens in times of coin shortage, or simply to avoid giving coins as change. They could usually be redeemed only by the issuer.
North Carolina gold
The first gold discovery in the United States happened in North Carolina, near Charlotte, in 1799. Within a few years, mining became one of the state’s biggest industries. Miners faced a problem: how to turn the raw gold into easily spent coins. Taking gold to the nearest U.S. Mint, in Philadelphia, meant a long and hazardous journey.
In 1830, a family of jewelers and watchmakers emigrated from Germany and settled in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. The Bechtlers established a local mint, developed a reputation for honesty, and began minting gold coins. From 1831 through the 1840s, they produced gold coins of one, two-and-a-half, and five dollars.
A branch of the U.S. Mint opened in Charlotte in 1838 in response to the regional supply of gold. It produced only gold coins, in the same denominations as the Bechtlers. The Mint ceased operating at the start of the Civil War and never re-opened.
The North Carolina Collection has a 24-piece type set of Bechtler coins and a set of Charlotte five-dollar coins. These can be viewed near the entrance to the Gallery.
Gift of Herman W. Bernard
1937 Roanoke Commemorative coin
Designed by Williams Mark Simpson
United States Mint, Roanoke Colony Memorial Association
This Roanoke commemorative celebrates the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the first English colony in North America. The obverse features Walter Raleigh, founder of the colony, and the reverse depicts Eleanor Dare holding her daughter, Virginia, the first English child born in North America.
The Roanoke Colony Memorial Association partnered with the U.S. Mint to issue the coins in 1937. These coins and other commemoratives celebrate individuals and events in American history and help to raise money for causes.
Gift of the Roanoke Colony Memorial Association
Greensboro Lucky Cent, ca. mid-twentieth century
Wysong & Miles Company, Greensboro
This keepsake served as an advertisment, in this case for Greensboro's Wysong & Miles Company, a machine tools manufacturer. At center is a Lincoln cent issued in 1909, the first year that cents depicting Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) were struck. The metal around the cent is aluminum. Despite containing a coin, the item would not have been used for money. It is more appropriately termed a medal because it commemorates the company.
Gift of Mary Brogden
Charlotte Trolley token, 2000
Charlotte Department of Transportation
Silvertowne Mint
This Charlotte Trolley commemorative token is good for one dollar in parking or a nice souvenir of a trip to North Carolina’s largest city. It is one of several such items produced by the Charlotte Department of Transportation and introduced starting in January 1999. Bi-metallic coins were produced by many countries at about this time. There is no functional reason: They are simply attractive.
Gift of the Charlotte Department of Transportation
Champion Compress and Warehouse Company of Wilmington, N.C.
token ca. 1910-20
The Champion Compress and Warehouse Company of Wilmington, North Carolina was owned by cotton exporters Alexander Sprunt and Sons. They shipped cotton to England, as well as other places in Europe and in the United States. One side reads "ONE BALE;" the other "DELIVERY GANG." These tokens were issued to workers unloading bales to account for the quantity of work performed.
Gift of Barry Bird
Gray Drug Company token
Statesville, North Carolina ca. 1940s
A token "good for one 5¢ drink or cigar," dating from the 1940s, was issued by Gray Drug Company, located at the "Polk on the Square," Statesville, North Carolina. Such tokens were used either as a small change substitute or as an advertising promotional. Many tokens were produced simply without much attention to esthetics.
North Carolina Collection Numismatic Fund