✅ SOLVED A token and a small badge or fob

[Fourman110]

Interesting day. Found my oldest wheat penny (1920), an OK vending token, and this brass badge or fob.

Any ideas on what time frame the token would be from?

The badge is kind of interesting. It measures 1 5/16 wide and 1 7/16 tall. It says
NEW ELMB
Excelsior Springs
MO
109
GRIP

 

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[charlives]

Does it say New Elm(s)? Maybe it is a keychain tag for that hotel.

 

[nhbenz]

New Elms resort/hotel tag: http://www.elmshotelandspa.com/the-elms-history.htm

 

[Fourman110]

Ya I thought it may be the hotel too, but it definitely says Elmb not Elms. Could be a typo though. Thad them back then too. The number would make sense for the hotel, but what the heck does grip mean?

 

[idahotokens]

That fob-like piece was probably used as a luggage tag - a grip is an old term for a suitcase. At the depot, the hotel's hack would meet the trains and take guests to the hotel. Their luggage would be tagged with one of these on a leather strap, and the guest would be given a similarly-numbered piece to claim his grip from all the others when he reached the hotel. Similar drill for going to the train.

The OK Venders token is probably from the 1920s. It was used as payout from a "trade stimulator" or tabletop slot machine. To avoid running afoul of the law, the payout was in tokens rather than in coins. I believe the company that made the machines and supplied the tokens was headquartered either in Detroit or Chicago, but they sold their machines all over the country.

John in the Great 208

 

[Fourman110]

That fob-like piece was probably used as a luggage tag - a grip is an old term for a suitcase. At the depot, the hotel's hack would meet the trains and take guests to the hotel. Their luggage would be tagged with one of these on a leather strap, and the guest would be given a similarly-numbered piece to claim his grip from all the others when he reached the hotel. Similar drill for going to the train.

The OK Venders token is probably from the 1920s. It was used as payout from a "trade stimulator" or tabletop slot machine. To avoid running afoul of the law, the payout was in tokens rather than in coins. I believe the company that made the machines and supplied the tokens was headquartered either in Detroit or Chicago, but they sold their machines all over the country.

John in the Great 208

You are the sage of Idaho. Thanks!