Exonumia 446004 214214018 2008-05-22T16:07:46Z EwokiWiki 4082747 Added See Also Section {{Numismatics}} '''Exonumia''' is the study of [[coin]]-like objects such as [[token coin]]s and [[medal]]s, and other items used in place of legal currency or for commemoration. This includes [[elongated coin]]s, encased coins, souvenir medallions, tags, badges, counterstamped coins, [[wooden nickel]]s and other similar items. It is related to [[numismatics]] proper (concerned with coins which have been [[legal tender]]), and many [[coin collector]]s are also exonumists. Besides the above strict definition, others extend it to include non-coins which may or may not be legal tenders such as cheques, [[credit card]]s and similar paper. These can also be considered [[notaphily]] or [[scripophily]]. The noun ''exonumia'' is derived from two classical roots: ''exo'', meaning "out-of" in [[Greek language|Greek]], and ''nummus'', meaning "coin" in [[Latin]]; thus, "out[side]-of-[the category]coins". Usually, the term "exonumia" is applied to these objects in the United States, while the equivalent [[British English|British]] term is '''paranumismatica'''. The words ''exonumist'' and ''exonumia'' were coined in July [[1960]] by [[Russell Rulau]], a recognized authority and author on the subject, and accepted by [[Webster's dictionary]] in 1965. [[Image:BIGBUFF.jpg|left|thumb|Copper trade token of Durfee & Peck, Indian traders on Missouri River in various locations, circa 1869]] Items such as bus tokens (transportation tokens), bar or pub tokens, and [[casino token]]s or chips are some of the more common forms of exonumia. Related, but normally considered to be a different branch of numismatics, is odd and curious money. Another important area of token collecting is Latin American coffee or plantation tokens. Many but not all of these tokens were made in the states while others were made in Europe and England. You will find these tokens circulated in more than one language although Spanish is the prevalent one. Plantation tokens can have an array of denominations and names. The name can be the owner or their relatives. Sometimes the token can have the name of the farm or finca. Lastly, tokens had allegorical symbols to identify the owner. Very little documentation exists since the inception of Latin American tokens, therefore, many tokens cannot be verified as to who the real owner is or what the symbol or symbols meant. Tokens in Latin America were used as currency since there wasn't enough official currency available. Customarily, workers could convert the tokens to official currency on Saturdays. It is widely understood that many plantation owners in Latin America had their own commissaries, therefore, the workers were able to use the farm owners tokens to pay for provisions. It is important to note that in the 19th century many of the plantation workers and families lived on the farm they worked on. Latin American tokens were made in all types of base metals and alloys plus plastic, celluloid and [[bakelite]]. Unique to Costa Rica were tokens made in paper fashion, either uniface or printed on both sides. Many people call these [[paper chit]]s. The word "Boleto" is used solely in Costa Rica for the word token whereas "ficha" is used in the rest of Latin America. == Other forms == {{Cleanup-section|date=September 2007}} * "Love Tokens " - Legal coinage engraved for a loved one. * "Hobo nickels" - Usually "buffalo nickels" engraved crudely by hand mostly in that era (1913-38) * "Tax Tokens" * "Encased coins" * "Encased Postage" * "Game counters" * "[[Geocoins]]" * "Good for Mirrors" * "Shell cards" * "Telephone Tokens" * "Gambling/casino chips" See [[Casino token]] * "Elongated coins" * "Civil War Tokens" * "Hard Times Tokens" * "Dog License Tags" * "Counterstamped Coins" * "Military Tokens" * "Transportation Tokens" * "Parking Tokens" * "Wooden Nickel" * "Medals" - both privately minted and minted by governments ==See Also== * [[Coin]] * [[Currency]] ==References== *[http://www.coin-gallery.com/cgglossary.htm Coin-Gallery.com glossary] *[http://www.24carat.co.uk/numismatictermsframe.html é'carat.co.UK Numismatic jargon - Coin terms] *[http://www.canadiancoin.com/index3.htm Canaciancoin.com - dictionary] *[http://www.australianstamp.com/Coin-web/history/glossary.htm Australianstamp.com - Glossary of Numismatic terms] *[http://www.costaricatokens.com CostaRicaTokens.com - Costa Rica Tokens] *[http://members.fortunecity.com/tokenguy/tokentales/ Token Tales, an educational website on trade tokens] {{portalpar|Numismatics|United States penny, obverse, 2002.jpg}} [[Category:Exonumia|*]] [[es:Exonumia]] [[lt:Egzonumija]] [[ru:Экзонумия]]