Brothel Token: "Click the tokens for more Pics"
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Two brothel tokens are above. One is “Real” and the other is a “Real” fake. Some of you know that the one on the left is the Fantasy token. You can buy these for $3-$5 in coin shops or on eBay. There are several Fantasy tokens with “Montana” on the token, that will sell at a higher price. The token on the right is an authentic brothel token. It is not as “Glamorous” as the “Fantasy” token, but recently sold for approximately $180 on eBay! This is a very respectable price for a Montana Maverick with only a name and value on the token.
The Frankie Blair token is an authentic trade token from Miles City, Montana. Frankie was in business a long time, first appearing in 1884. The city while condoning the red light district fined them every month and took down the names of the “Madam” and her "Ladies". One of the photos is of a ledger from the City Court in 1916. Typically, the tokens only listed the name of the Madam they were usually “Good for 15 cents in trade”. Most likely, they were good for a drink at the bar.
In the “Brothel Photo Gallery”, or by clicking on the “Brothel Tokens", there are several documents provided by eBay seller “ikeandkate”. They include “cash” ledger Entries, a City Court proceedings ledger, and associated documents authenticating the tokens. This shows that the proper research will increase the price of a token. I highly recommend you mark “ikeandkate” as a favorite eBay seller and watch in the future for additional token listings.
Recently a Brunswick-Balke-Collender (BBC) Company token “JHN Dumas” Good for 12 1/2¢ In Trade, sold for an opening bid of $9.99. John Dumas is listed in the 1889 Bradstreet Commercial Reports as being a saloon keeper in Laurin Montana. Additionally, the “Dumas Rooms” was a famous brothel in Butte, Montana. More research needs to be performed on this token for proper attribution. A scan of this token is also in the Brothel Photo Gallery.
Several other Montana Brothel tokens include:
Deer Lodge - W.N. Aylesworth McBurney House Bar
Miles City - May Wilson
There must be additional brothel tokens for the state of Montana. If anyone wants to list some use the shout box. Just type in your first name, eBay name, anything will do; then, type a message and press “Shout!” to share the information with everyone
General Notes:
Response to the “Token Picture Gallery” has been great. This site has been up only 2-3 weeks and has over 6000 hits! I think it would be an excellent resource if we had more / rarer / unusual tokens scans or photos. If anyone wants to post additional scans or photos – contact me.
We are working on the next featured token. If you have a token and would like to showcase it, let us know.
We have been adding additional links. Right now you can link to Idaho and Oregon token pages. Additionally, link to MT Place Names, MT Official Web Page, and MT Cities Towns and Communities.
Additionally, in the "Token Picture Gallery", I have started a section on Maverick tokens (no city or state listed on the token) that need attributions. Take a look. If you have information on these tokens let me know, or if you have a maverick and would like it "Featured", send me a picture and as much information as you care to share. I would be glad to host it.
Thanks to all!