Auction 45 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture

Paper Tokens and a Brass Token - Zichron Ya'akov

Opening: $20,000
Unsold
1-3. Three paper tokens, Zichron Ya'akov. Printed on the three is the inscription: Zicron Jacob, and the three bear a serial number and a signature (by hand). Two bear ink stamps: "[V]a'ad hamoshav---", "moshava zichron ya'akov" (partial). Two: 3.2X3 cm, one: 3X4 cm. Condition: VG-F (stains, creases and wear). 4. Brass token in the value of 1 (Piaster or Metlik), for use by Zichron Ya'akov inhabitants. Minted in Paris in 1885. Obverse: "Zichron Jacob" and denomination. Reverse: "זכרון יעקב". Diameter: 25 mm. Condition: Good. The four tokens, were attached to a letter sent to an addressee in Jerusalem in February 1924. The following information is gathered from the letter (enclosed): The tokens were called Saghtuts and had the value of 2.5 Para or 1/16 Piaster. The writer claims that their origin is in the wine cellars of Zichron Ya’akov. Further in the letter, the writer tells about the attitude of the Moshava committee to these tokens and their legal status as money substitutes. The letter was sent by H.G. Lauft (?), P.O.Box 248 Jerusalem, to Mr. Heyman. The paper tokens are rare (additional copies are unknown to us) and their nature has not been sufficiently studied. The letter presented here is one of the only sources of information regarding these tokens.
Ephemera, Numismatics and Objects
Ephemera, Numismatics and Objects