Maverick, Unique, Unlisted &Interesting Telephone Tokens
Description & Comments
Obverse
Reverse
Michigan State Telephone Co.
Size: 21.2mm
Composition: Brass

This token obviously has something to do with the Michigan State Telephone Co. However, I have as yet been unable to attribute it's use to pay telephones. It is unlisted in both Henk Groenendijk’s catalogue of world telephone tokens and in Paul Cunningham's catalogue of Michigan tokens.

Associated Telephone Co.
Size: 24.0mm
Composition: Brass

There are several tokens issued by the Associated Telephone Co. of California. However, this is the only one I've seen or know to exist in the quater size (note the "25" design on the reverse). Also you may be able to make out the initial "S.M." and "I.S." inscribed on the reverse.

Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Co.
Size: 21.0mm
Composition: Brass

This is the only token I know of that is issued under the company name of Southwestern Telegraph and Telepone Co. However, there are tokens issued with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.

CIA PAN DE Fyl
Size: 17.9mm
Composition: Copper-Nickel

There are several of the CIA PAN tokens from Panama. This example with the "DE Fyl" is unlisted in Henk Groenendijk’s catalogue of world telephone tokens. I have two examples of this token: the one pictured here and one which is holed at 12 o'clock.

Republique Francaise PTT
Size: 18.0mm
Composition: Zinc

Republique Francaise PTT tokens are plentiful. They can be found in almost any token dealer's books or junk boxes. Hence, they have a very low value; even those issued in zinc. This token, however, is issued with the date of 1946 instead of the usual 1947. As far as I know (from checking with other major collectors) it is unique.

COTELCO
Size: 21.0mm
Composition: Br

I acquired this token as part of a major collection of foreign telephone tokens. This was attributed accordingly to Angeles City in the Phillipines. Some notes on its holder indicated that Mr. Basso (expert on Phillipine tokens, now deceased) had examined it and claimed it was unique. I have tried to attribute Cotelco and this piece as a telephone token but have found no information as of yet.

Crefeld K. Telegraphenamt
Size: 20.0mm
Composition: Cu

This octagonal token is similar to those listed in Peter Menzel's book "Dutsche Notmunzen Und Sonstige Geldersatzmarken". However, this denomonation of 3 is unlisted in his reference.

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website last updated: November 2, 1997