Michigan trade token.. Finding nothing on this one.

[mk4125]

Dug this up this afternoon (Northern MI). Gratiot Ave is a well-known street in Detroit...But I am finding nothing on the internet. Anyone have deeper pockets if knowledge??

 

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[Mackaydon]

Maybe a 5c transit token for bus #62 on Gratiot Ave.??
Don......

 

[jewelerguy]

not finding it at tokencatalog.com . without the merchant name or address, I guess it would be unattributed at this point. Tokencatalog.com might be interested in adding a photo of yours to their database if you care to submit pics

 

[idahotokens]

There was a series of businesses at that address that could have used that token. I'll check with the MI token cataloger to see if he knows any more - the dating on the reverse might be a clue. Here is the list:

1898, 1899, 1900 Girardo Satinardo - fruits, etc.
1901 Rafael Tomasco - confectionery
1903 S. M. Halliday - cigars & tobacco
1904 Alfred Eades - cigars & tobacco, news dealer
1905 C. P. Benoit, Jr. - cigars & tobacco

It was not unusual for storefronts to change businesses often.

Can you see a "maker's mark" in very small print on the reverse below the 5? Do post pics on tokencatalog.

John in the Great 208

 

[idahotokens]

The MI token cataloger had not seen this one, but he agreed that it was probably used by one of the businesses listed in the 1898-1905 Detroit City Directories. I only see one other MI token with that particular reverse listed on tokencatalog - it is ca. 1901.
John

 

[mk4125]

Thanks all... if nothing else there is at least ONE of these in existence now.

The MI token cataloger had not seen this one, but he agreed that it was probably used by one of the businesses listed in the 1898-1905 Detroit City Directories. I only see one other MI token with that particular reverse listed on tokencatalog - it is ca. 1901.
John

 

[Kurios1]

Very cool old token coin. Appears you may have the only one. Hope you can find out some more information on it.