3674) Did You Know Series (99): Bingles - local Alaskan token used in Trade, United States of America (USA):
This $20 Palmer bingle dated 2021 that expired in 2022
illustrates the chamber’s second issue of tokens, which depict Pioneer Peak, to
the south of the community.
Bingles - The historical evolution of a novel idea/concept:
The Matanuska Colony was a unique experiment in the
wilderness, occurring at an unusual time in history.
Many social and economic
ideas have been tested in Palmer, both during the official years of the
Matanuska Colony and since, but bingles have proven one of the most
interesting.
These coins are believed to be the only Federally
authorised token money ever produced.
They were intended to insulate the
hemorrhaging economy of the new colony, and make things easier on pioneers who
were struggling to take root under difficult circumstances. Ultimately, their
success was only partial, but the story is a fascinating one.
HARD ECONOMIC TIMES:
Like other projects of the New Deal, the Matanuska Colony
was designed to benefit several different groups of people struggling through
the Great Depression.
Workers who helped to build the physical infrastructure
of the colony received meaningful employment during hard economic times.
The
territory of Alaska gained more than 1,500 new residents, all productive,
hard-working families who would increase the are’s economic output, support the
railroad with their business and, hopefully, cultivate a positive long-term
interest in the development of the territory.
The colonists themselves got a helping hand to make the
new start that would allow them to support their growing families.
Each family
was issued a 3,000-dollar, 30-year no-interest loan with which to begin their
farm.
All business, from the buying of goods to the selling of farm produce,
was to be conducted as a cooperative venture through the Alaska Rural
Rehabilitation Corporation (ARRC), the Federal organisation that
oversaw the colony.
The reasons for this arrangement were excellent:
First,
cash-poor colonists could provision themselves on credit at the ARRC Trading
Post, thereby feeding their families through the first year as they cleared
land and built houses.
Second, the ARRC cooperative was able to facilitate the
sale of large volumes of produce to markets that individual homesteaders had
difficulty reaching.
Also, rather than competing against each other, colonists
would work together to help the community succeed.
UNFORESEEN COMPLICATIONS:
Unfortunately, by 1936 many families found themselves in
a financial situation even more difficult than the one they had left behind, as
a result of their ever-mounting debt.
Limits on credit needed to be set to keep
individual debt at a reasonable level, and the ARRC needed a way to direct
money back towards the cooperative, and away from the private stores, bars and
restaurants that had sprung up on the west side of the railroad tracks.
A Novel Solution:
In 1936 the ARRC issued bingles as a solution to both of
these problems.
Except for the octagonal one-cent piece, denominations and
sizes matched the official U.S. coins of the time, and they were minted by a
Seattle company with experience making tokens for businesses in many part of
the West.
It is a strange coincidence that the ARRC coins were
labelled ‘bingles’. The popular Protestant minister for the colony was one Bert
Bingle, and they are often said to have been named for him.
“Bingle”, however, is also a common name for token money
issued by companies in the West, as well as for poker chips. It is likely this
was the origin of the name.
All colonists were given a fixed monthly allotment of
bingles based on family size, which could be used at the Trading Post, the
garage, the recreation hall, the hospital and other colony businesses.
The
tokens were made of brass (five- and ten-dollar amounts) or aluminum (one cent
to one-dollar amounts), and they functioned like real money, helping to control
the spending.
THE EXPERIMENT'S MIXED RESULTS:
They did not, however, keep money within the cooperative
quite as planned.
Private businesses sensed an opportunity and quickly accepted
the tokens. Though some colonists had wage-earning jobs within the colony
itself, most families were cash-poor; by accepting the tokens, private
businesses were able to serve the greatest portion of the area’s population,
who could not otherwise afford their products.
Bingles, also called scrip, were unpopular with the
colonists, however.
The pioneering spirit required to participate in the grand
adventure of the Matanuska Colony was at odds with the bureaucracy that
actually ran the project, and by 1936 many colonists were frustrated with the
ARRC’s rules. Rather than the debt-reducer they were designed as, bingles came
to be seen as one more way to increase the colonists’ indebtedness to the ARRC.
FROM USELESS TO COLLECTIBLE:
Ultimately, Bingles were in use for only a few months
during 1936, until they were replaced by a different credit system and debt
reduction programme.
When they were stripped of their value, most of the larger
denominations were turned in by the thousands for cash or applied back to
family account with the ARRC. These bingles were subsequently forgotten in
kegs in the ARRC’s attics.
The coins were rediscovered in the 1950s, and after the
20th Anniversary of the Matanuska Colony they were offered for sale as
souvenirs to raise money for local organisations.
The fact that few actually
sold proved bingles to be completely useless, as they were not even worth
processing for the aluminum and brass of which they were made. The kegs were
emptied off the Matanuska River Bridge, disappearing into the icy glacial
water.
The few bingles that survive are mostly one- and
five-cent coins, which were given to children or lost among household flotsam.
Some complete sets exist, either purchased or given as gifts by city officials
during the 1950s, or, more rarely, painstakingly assembled by coin collectors
since their listing in the Red Book alongside other U.S. coinage.
The original dies were rediscovered in the warehouse of
the Seattle company that originally minted the coins.
Commemorative sets with a
different reverse were minted from those dies for the colony’s 50th anniversary
in 1985. Today, the rare original bingles (and even the anniversary sets) command collector’s prices.
Today, the bustling town of Palmer resides upon the
foundations of the Matanuska Colony, and though we do not face the same
economic crisis of the early 20th century, modern times have yielded their own
economic struggles.
The Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce chose to adapt the
bingle experiment to better suit the economy, and so revived the bingle in late
2020.
In these times, they are not paid out as wages, but act as a
Palmer-specific Gift Card, redeemable at an ever-increasing number of local
businesses! Nor are they made of metals, they are a wooden token laser-engraved
with a picturesque design, updated annually.
In the first year of bingle
revival, the GPCC was able to measure $30,000 spent locally, just in bingles!
They are sold in $20 and $5 denominations exclusively by
the Greater Chamber of Commerce, either from the office or the online store.
Bingles can also be earned as prizes in various GPCC events, including
Shop Palmer (where the grand prize is $1000, Colony Days, and Colony Christmas!) They make fantastic stocking stuffers for those tough-to-buy-for folks who love
to support local!
With a change in leadership at the Greater Palmer Chamber
of Commerce in Alaska, some collectors are wondering if the chamber may
reinstate the wooden token program that functioned among its merchants in 2020
through 2022, according to collector J.D. Williams in the January issue of
Alaskan Token Collector & Polar Numismatist newsletter.
Williams explains in the January newsletter that many
collectors are aware of historic metal tokens, often referenced as bingles,
that a government project, the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation, issued
circa 1935 to 1936. The ARRC tokens were produced in multiple denominations for
use in the company’s store, a money substitute for workers brought to Alaska to
farm the land in the Matanuska Valley Colony.
Inspired by the federal government-issued ARRC metal
tokens, the Greater Palmer Chamber in 2020 issued a series of wooden “bingles”
in denominations of $5, $20 and $25 to increase business for local merchants.
The 2020-dated tokens carry an expiration date of Dec.
31, 2021.
In 2021, the chamber followed up with an issue of $5 and
$20 bingles with an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2022.
According to Williams, chamber member company Silvertip Design executed the designs for the
wooden tokens the chamber released.
The 2020 tokens are 51-millimeters in diameter while the
2021-dated issued measure 49 millimeters across. Williams writes that the
bingles are mostly three millimeters thick, a depth that varies with the laser
engraving of the designs and inscriptions.
“Bingles were accepted in payment at 36 of the members of
the Palmer Chamber at the start of the program and by the end of the program,
there were 50 Palmer merchant participants,” according to Williams.
“The chamber’s Oct. 1, 2020, announcement stated that the
tokens ‘are available in $20 and $5 increments. They make great gifts themselves, and are a great way to show your support for local businesses.
Even
purchasing the bingle for a keepsake, and are a great way to support local, as
they are 100% made in Palmer.’ ” An order of $25 denominated bingles was later
added to that first year’s issue.
The 2020-issued bingles are laser engraved with PALMER
BINGLE and GOOD FOR (denomination) IN TRADE around the border, with the central
device illustrating the Palmer Water Tower, on which the denomination was depicted numerically on
a plaque.
The reverse is laser-engraved "KEEP IT LOCAL SHOP PALMER
ALASKA around, with GREATER/PALMER/CHAMBER/OF/COMMERCE /2020".
The 2021-issued wood bingles carry the same
laser-engraved inscriptions on obverse and reverse, but with different dates,
and the designs differ.
The obverse device for the 2021 issues illustrates
Pioneer Peak surrounded by a field of 16 five-pointed stars.
Pioneer Peak is a
6,398-foot peak in the Chucgach Mountains, next to the Knik River, nine miles
south of the city.
During their year of use, bingles redeemed in commerce
were subsequently reissued by the chamber for continued use.
Native American Coin Series:
3) "Potawatomi" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint whic h struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issue: 2024
4) "Creek" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2024
5) "Pueblo" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issue: 2024
6) "Choctaw" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance California-based Native American Mint whic h struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2024
7) "Mohican" Culture and History, United States of Americs (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022
8) Native American Coin Sets - "Shawnee, Arapaho, Susquehannock, Mohican, Chippewa and Cheyenne" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins fesaturing diffferent Tribes minted by the Torrance California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issue: 2022
9) "Navaho" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2021
10) "Cherokee" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which strusk a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issued: 2021
11) "Comanche" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Natibve American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issue: 2019
12) "Caddo" Culture and History. United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint whbich struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issue: 2021
13) "Eskimo" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issue: 2021
14) "Apache" Culture and History, United States of American (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Sets issue: 2021
15) "Chinook" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issue: 2021
16) "Seminole" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted ny the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2019
17) "Blackfoot" Culture and History, United Stat6es of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins feasturing different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issue: 2021
18) "Fox" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins festuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, California-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Nations Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2021
19) "Sioux" Culture and History, United States of America (USA): A set of six Native American Coins featuring different Tribes minted by the Torrance, Californis-based Native American Mint which struck a series of Indian Sovereign Natiomns Coins that are authorised by each Tribe: Date/Year of Coin Set issue: 2021
Native American - Code Talkers serving in World War I and World War II:
1) Ponca Tribe, Code Talker, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
2) St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Code Talker, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
3) Oglala Sioux Tribe, Code Talker, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
4) Comanche Nation Tribe, Code Talker, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
5) Navaho Tribe, Code Talker, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of Woeld War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
6) Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate (Sioux) Tribe, Code Talker, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
7) Choctaw Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
8) Hopi Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
9) Seminole Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
10) Tonto Apache Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World war I and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
11) Ho Chunk Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World war II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
12) Pawnee Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
13) Onieda Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American History: Date/Year of Metal issue: 2024
14) Standing Rock Sioux Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
15) Meskwaki Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
16) Osage Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
17) The Fort Peck Assiniobione and Sioux Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
18) The Tlingit Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American history: Date/Yesar of Medal issue: 2024
19) The Kiowa Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
20) The Muscogee Creek Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
21) The Pueblo of Acoma Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal Commemorates an important piece of World War II and American History: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
22) The Santee Sioux Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
23) The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
24) The Crow Nation Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
25) The White Mountain Apache Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
26) The Pueblo of Laguna Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
27) The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II ans American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
28) The Yankton Sioux Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
29) The Menominee Tribe, Code Talkers, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War I and World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
30) The Rosebud Sioux Tribe, United States of America (USA): A Bronze Medal commemorates an important piece of World War II and American history: Date/Year of Medal issue: 2024
Coin Invest Trust (CIT) Wild West Coin Series:
1) Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Billy the Kid - Legends of the Wild West!, Cook Islands: 250 Dollars (Gold) and 20 and 5 Dollars (Silver) Coins minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt (GmbH) at its facilities in Munich by commission of Coin Invest Trust (CIT) on behalf of the Treasury of the Cook Islands: Year of Coin issue: 2024
Links to posts on this blog on Coins issued under "American Innovation $1 Coin Programme":
Links to posts on the USA:
First Amendment to the United States Constitution: Preample to the declaration of Independence:
To view a few posts on previous COTY and Coin Constellation (Russia) winners, please visit the following links:
Posts on Coins/Rounds from the Intaglio Mint, Denver Colorado (a privately owned Mint):
Links to some more posts on the Chinese Lunar calendar/Zodiac signs on this Blog:
Old West Coin Series:
New Year Lucky Coin Releases:
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Thanks for sharing this informative and interesting post."
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