Bob Gilbert's Numismatic Page

Below you will find discussions on various topics in numismatics that interest me. Mostly these topics come under the area known as exonumia. I also list other important web sites I've found. As always, I am open an enjoy correspondance on these areas; so feel free to contact me via EMAIL.

Telephone Tokens

So what are telephone tokens? No, they are not the same thing as (prepaid) telephone cards. Telephone tokens are non-currency tokens issued specifically for use with public pay telephones. Telephone tokens have a history that goes back to the begining of the 1900's. I have written a short article on the subject of telephone tokens entitled An Introduction To Telephone Tokens - With A Flavor Of Canada. This will give you an introduction into this area of numismatics

I have been collecting telephone tokens since 1990. There are relatively few collectors of telephone tokens and only a few who consider this their main collecting area. There are very few published catalogues on the subject (see my article); and therefore many so-called "unlisted" tokens. Most of these are minor varieties to those already listed. However, over the years I have come across a few that can be considered major new finds (at least I have not found anyone else who knows about them). I've gathered a few of these together along with some other interesting pieces. Please have a look at these.

Another interesting place to visit if you are interested in telephone history (not necessarily just telephone tokens) is the Telephone History WebSite.

Telephone Tokens for sale

Canadian Breton Tokens

Canadian Municipal Trade Tokens

Trade Dollars for sale

British Condor Tokens

Japanese Yen Coinage

I became interested in Japanese coins back in the early '80 and then got heavy into this area in 1985 when I took a business trip to Tokyo. I basically decided to concentrate on type sets. I completed a Meiji and Taisho type set (not including the gold coins). Japanese coins are dated according to reign of the emperor. Meiji coins relate to 1868 to 1912. Taisho is 1912 to 1926. More recently, I've tried to take my type sets and form a 1 Yen type set (Meiji to Haisai, the current emperor) including the 1 Yen gold coin. I have all coins in uncirculated condition except for the trade dollar issued between Meiji 8 and 10. Therefore, in the 1 Yen type set I put together, the trade dollar I display is a counterfeit.

Personal Medals

Personal medals have been around for many years. They were often made to advertise one's interest in various numismatic areas or in an affiliation with some numismatic organization. The minting of personal medals has recently been on the rise, primarily through the efforts of my friend Jerry Remick who has promoted this hobby both throughout Canada but also in the USA. Several years ago I had my own die created depicting my various numismatic interests (note that this was before telephone tokens became my primary collecting area. I paired my personal die with others created for various numismatic associations to which I belong to make the actual medals. I also created another die commemorating the 1986 visit of Halley's Comet. I often give these various medals away to numismatic acquaintances I make from around the world. Just one way of enhancing the numismatic connections. Click here to see examples of my medals and to see one of Jerry Remick's personal dies.

Other Important Web Sites

·         Canadian Numismatic Association

·         American Numismatic Association

·         Numismatic Network Canada

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Last updated November 2, 1997