Can anyone tell me what this is?

[robert roy]

I found this Natural History Museum token on may last
outing at a local park. The back of the token says it from a natural history museum, but which one. There is absolutely nothing else but what you see on the front.
My metal deteing partner says she remembers these from when she was 9 years old. ASHe's 50 something now. Says she got hers from the Natural History M of Chicago. I have written them but have nothing.
Robert

 

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[PBK]

It's a letter-punch machine tag or token. These machines have been around since the early 1900's, and you may have seen them at amusement parks, tourist stops, train and bus stations, etc. The customer inserts a coin and then embosses the token with his name or some other inscription. This is done one letter at a time, using a dial or pointer to select the letter and then pulling a lever to press it onto the token. Many of the token blanks or planchets had cut-outs around the center: star, four-leaf clover, etc.; others had pre-embossed solid centers.

 

[John (Ma)]

Pretty cool find.

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

Heres one in this pic from July>>> I remember them too...

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I was going to say the same thing. PBK got it first. I remember those things.

 

[re-tek]

ok guys.. everyone miss the "teletag" part in the middle? novelty token yes, i say its a secret message decoder/encoder thing for kids.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

ok guys.. everyone miss the "teletag" part in the middle? novelty token yes, i say its a secret message decoder/encoder thing for kids.

I say someone was just testing the letter punch machine. I remember punching letters on these aluminum tokens as a kid at the carnival.
The center looks like the old telephone we had.

 

[PBK]

BC is right: just someone fooling around, or maybe testing the machine.

Here's a Tele Tag token from a letter punch machine at the B. & O. Railroad station in Chicago, currently offered on eBay. (As stated in my previous post, bus and train stations were a popular site for these machines.)

Note that it's embossed "JOHNNY & CHIPPER WAGNER"— no scrambled letters & numbers.

​

 

[jeff of pa]

Here are Four I have yet.
I try old Phone books & try to find the Owners.
Then mail them back.
This is some of what I have left

 

[robert roy]

Thanks for all your responses!!!!!

Robert Roy

 

[Bixsos]

I have my sister's. It was made at The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

 

[idahotokens]

Here's an example of one of several types of machines that made these. If you look around on the Interwebs, there are people who have a machine and will custom-make you a piece.
John in the Great 208