| Description |
Systematic Four-Tube Missouri Sales Tax Token Dispenser. Made from cast iron with tin or aluminum tubes, this vintage token dispenser recalls the pre-World War II era when Missouri charged sales tax and collected it by means of mill or 5 mill zinc tokens. A mill represented a tenth of one cent. In movie theaters, children under the age of 12 bought a ticket for 10 cents plus 2 mills, and would receive 8 mills in change for 11 cents given to the ticket seller. Other retailers followed a similar procedure. This scarce Systematic token dispenser simplified paying out the correct change in mills. Three tubes dispensed 1 mill tokens either 1, 2, or 3 tokens at a time; a fourth tube issued 5 mill tokens one at a time. The heavy cast iron base has a slot and drawer. Seven 1 mill tokens and one 5 mill piece are included. The dispenser measures 6.5 x 4.3 x 9.5 inches. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Heritage Auctions 11/2018 (Newman XI), lot15752 (realized $89).
Heritage link: http://www.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1283&lotIdNo=11840 |
