Saloon -Saloon – Saloon - Saloons! Saloons?
What constitutes a saloon token? Does it have to have “Saloon” stamped on the token?
The period of 1866 to about 1900 is referred to as the Saloon Token Era in the United States. Hundreds and hundreds of varieties were issued beginning about 1875. Montana Saloon tokens generally lasted until prohibition started, January 1, 1918. Prohibition in the rest of the U.S. started January 1, 1920. These are general dates because many counties or towns enacted their own prohibition laws locally prior to state or federal regulations. Saloon tokens have denominations such as 1 drink or 12 1/2 cents. These are highly sought after by many collectors, and are thus valued higher. For years, beer was 5¢ and a shot was 15¢ or 2 for 25¢. When paying 25 cents for a shot, customers were often given the option of receiving 10¢ change or a 12 1/2¢ token.
Many eBay sellers list “Although not marked on the token, this establishment was a “Saloon”!
The 1900 Helena City directory lists 67 establishments as Saloons. Of these 67 establishments that are listed as “Saloons”, I have identified 17 businesses’ that have an associated token. The only token listed under “saloons” and also has “Saloon” listed on the token, is Herman Gerber - Exchange Saloon .
They other without Saloon listed on the token are:
Token Name 1900 Polk City Directory Listing (Saloon)
L.W. Bossler Bossler LW, 112 S. Main
The California Wine House (2) California Wine House 46 S. Main
Chamber of Commerce Sample Rooms Chamber of Commerce, 36 N. Main
Colbath & Hagen 18 N. Main St. Colbath & Hagen 18 N Main St.
Chas. E. Colbert Calbert Charles 363N. Main
O.G. Federick World Fair Federick O G, 100-102 S. Main
Chas. Gabisch Gabisch Charles. 138 S. Main
Jas. J. Kelley Kelley J J, 14 and 403 N. Main
Kenck & Milch Kenck & Milch, 3 S. Main
The Mint Mint The, 21 N. Warren
Mongrain Bros. Mongrain Bros 49 S. Main
Chas. J. Nelson Nelson C J, 200 N. Rodney
Henry Rossman Rossman Henry, 118 S. Main
R.C. Sandel Sandel Robert, 133 N. Main
The Silver Bar Robt. Sandel Proprietor Sandel Robert, 133 N. Main
L. Steinbrenner Steinbrenner Leonard, 357 N. Main
Helena Saloon Tokens (Saloon stamped on Token) that we have listed in our book include:
All Nations Saloon 106 S. Main St. Germain & Neueu
Black Eagle Saloon 129 So. Main Str.
Broadwater Saloon (note: listed under Hotels only “Broadwater Hotel” 1 ½ miles W. of city limits)
Exchange Saloon Herman Gerber Prop. (2)
Exchange Saloon Bar C.H. Wood & Co. Proprietors
Headquarters Saloon T & K
Raymond & Desbarto Exchange Saloon
In most business directories and gazetteers if they dispensed liquor in establishments such as bars, taverns, inns – there were listed as a “Saloon”. Saloons, I believe had a different meaning than a Inn, Bar, House, Tavern, or Place. Many Saloons were often associated with drunkenness and prostitution. The name “Saloon” in many cases was often abhorred.
Presently, we have 139 Saloon tokens listed in 60 different Montana Cities. If you were list all establishments that dispensed liquor, I believe the number of so called “Saloon” tokens would be well over 1000 - for Montana alone. As Always, “Buyer Beware” if you are buying any tokens you may not be familiar with, especially on eBay.
Some things that a serious collector can do is to join one of the token associations such as NTCA or TAMS. The idea from this article (and some of the information) came from a TAMS article written by “Fritz” Rohrman. (Some Observations Regarding Saloon Tokens).
On a side note, we are working on a section for Montana counterfeit tokens. Fellow collectors have opened my eyes to this issue. As information was coming in, I was feverishly digging through my collection. Sure enough, I have at least one fake – which I paid good money for. Again, know who you are buying from and know what you are buying. Good Hunting.
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