Rare Idaho token found with X70

[utmike]

It's really fun for me when an old trade token pops up!

After some research, I learned some cool history behind the token. This token is from Roosevelt Idaho but was found in a bottle dump in Salt Lake City. Roosevelt, Idaho was a gold camp that had it's rush from about 1900-1909. In 1909, a mudslide blocked the gulch the town was located in and flooded the entire town site. The town has now been at the bottom of Lake Roosevelt for about 100 years.

Mr. Harry A. Robb, an influential business man originally from Iowa, operated a mercantile in Nampa, Idaho and upon news of the gold rush on "Thunder Mountain" established another store in Roosevelt, the newly formed boom town at it's base. Mr.Robb died in 1913 at the age of just 34.

The token is listed as very rare.

It's hard not to think about how it passed from the owners and miners hands and how in the world it ended up where it did. Anyway, I thought I would share the story.

Thanks, I hope everyone is getting some good hunting time in!

Mike

 

[John(Tx)]

n/t

 

[xwyokid]

Man, that is a nice one. I too sometimes enjoy tokens more than coins.

 

[Mark in S.E. IA]

Congrats on the nice old token.
I got to say, I really enjoy finding the token too and it's nice when you can find some history about it.

 

[Beale]

Congrats on the very cool token! I also enjoyed the history! Very nice hunt, Beale.

 

[7centsworth]

Nice token

 

[Goes4ever]

very cool token those odd amounts are cool too.....how did u clean it?

 

[utmike]

Thanks for your post Goes4ever!

This is pretty general and mostly just my opinion, but here are the guidelines I follow:

Like coins, if it is really valuable and really corroded, take it to a pro for cleaning (many coin shops are familiar with token cleaning). I am fortunate enough to have a few friends in the token business and I have had them clean better ones for me. Having a guidebook for tokens in your state and surrounding areas is a great help.

Unlike coins, most tokens can take some cleaning and not lose their value. I start with a brass coin brush like the ones you get with the coin toning kits. Most of the time, I can make the features stand out by setting the brush upside down and gently working the token back and forth on top of it.

For REALLY bad ones, I soak them in a little bowl of Lime-a-way (the green bottle) and check on them OFTEN and use the brush as I go. Brass tokens will withstand this much better than aluminum. Too long in the solution, aluminum will bubble and brass will turn bright orange and need to be toned back down. It's really a crap shoot whether or not to clean them. Although I don't do it, some people have told me they have had success with a tumbler.

My advice is that if you want to try cleaning them this way, get your hands on a couple of cheap ones and practice. I have ruined a few along the way.

Hope this helps!
Mike

 

[Goes4ever]

I have used lime a way on tokens with sucess, was just curious how you did it, looks like it was tumbled. turned out nice

 

[intimer]

nice token

mike

 

[tony (Orlando FL)]

Very unique find Mike, way to go! I kinda like to backtrack history when I find something out of the ordinary.

Seeing as you have some friends in the business, did any attempt to quote a value??

You must be tecting in a great area, better dig it all.

Tony

 

[lafatlife]

Very nice token. What state did you find it in that you thought it odd to be there?
The only token I have ever found were from Chucky Cheese. (They are a local pizza/party place for kids) Oh and I found one that said "Just say no to drugs" on it.

 

[RMR]

My Grandfather was Harry Robb. He and his brother operated a small chain of clothing and general merchandise stores in S W Idaho. The company was based in Nampa, Idaho.

If you ever decide to sell this token, please let me know.

Mike Robb

 

[Old Longhair]

WOW! This thread just keeps getting better and better.

 

["Dr.Tones"]

Sooooo cool! I live in that area too !

 

[Samuel_Champlain_FTW]

Lovely token!