Expert: Ronald Fern - 6/1/2011

Question
My son found a coin that say good for one pack of cigarettes is it worth anything

Answer
Hi Brian:

Thanks for picking me to answer your question.

When asking a question, especially with tokens, always provide as much information about your piece as possible. This helps to pinpoint what you may have. Attaching a photo would also help. I'll answer your question as best I can. If you want to ask a follow up question by providing more information, such as the size, thickness, or metal composition of your token, I'll revise my answer or add to it as required.

It's rather difficult to say what your token many be worth with the information you provided. I'm guessing that the majority of cigarette tokens were from the 1930's to 1950's. I searched the web and found the following link that may help to explain what you have. There are several photos listed. Your token may have been made by Groetchen Tool and Mfg. Co. of Chicago in 1937 to 1938.

Link: http://users.pullman.com/fjstevens/tokens/bunco/mints.html

They were used in a machine like the one shown here: http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=2569

I found a token that just closed on eBay that had the following description. "You have an opportunity to bid on a trade token good for 1 pack of cigarettes.  On the other side it says the same thing.  This token is 22 mm in diameter and made of brass." It was offered for $0.99, plus $1.00 shipping, and did not sell. Your token may be worth $1 to $3 to an interested collector.

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.