The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 4, January 23, 2005, Article 20

ARTICLE ON ALASKAN BINGLE TOKENS

"In honor of the 70th anniversary of the Matanuska Colony
Project, a special commemorative print is being released
that features art from the great-grandson of Don L. Irwin,
who helped establish the project.

Norman Odsather's print depicts the Colonists at the trading
post. The framed print also has open slots where people can
put "bingles," the currency issued to Colonists at the time.
Another version of the print has the bingles printed on it."

"Each Colonist was issued $30 in bingles, and $5 for each
child, so that there would be no open charge accounts at
the co-op trading post. In 1985, in conjunction with the
50th anniversary of the Matanuska Colonist Project,
reproduction coins were restruck from the original dies,
which were found in Washington by James Tapscott."

"The tokens came in eight denominations. The one-, five-,
10-, 25- and 50-cent pieces and $1 tokens were aluminum,
and the $5 and $10 tokens were brass.

Today, a complete set of original ARRC bingles would go
for about $675 if in good condition, Roy Brown of Roy's
Coins said a couple years ago. Brown said there were
various other tokens produced in Alaska, some which
have become collector's items. But the ARRC token is
the most famous and rated in most coin books because
of the Matanuska Colony's prominent place in the history
of the New Deal era."

To see the full article: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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