I have seen a number of trade tokens with "Good For 2 1/2 cts." I'm not
sure about the S.H.
Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ann
Raab
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 1:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Tax Token Question

I have been excavating a site in western Missouri that has confirmed
occupations 
in the mid-19th century as well as the late 19th century and early 20th
century. 
I wouldn't be surprised if there was a component that went into the
1920s and 
1930s, but probably not much later.

I have an item which looks like a tax token, but it doesn't fit into the
mold of 
a typical state-issued token. It is copper, very thin (about 1mm) and is
27.2 mm 
in diameter (roughly a little more than an inch). The front of the token
is 
stamped "Good For 2 1/2 cts." The back of the token simply has an S. H.
stamped 
into it. There is nothing that identifies it as being from a particular
state 
and there are no other graphics or decoration. Also, in the research I
have done 
(very cursory) I have not found any state tokens worth 2 1/2 cents.

The "S. H." made me think of S&H Green Stamps, but I am not sure if they
had any 
tokens like these. I would think the company name would be more obvious
on such 
an item. There were also corporate coal mining interests in the area in
the late 
19th and early 20th centuries. I wasn't sure if this could be a kind of
"company 
store" token.

Any information or ideas would be welcome!