Note: This is the third installment regarding collectible Monopoly Games. Click on the "Archives" to review the previous installments.
The designs are so classic, and so ageless, that when one sees the typical Monopoly token it is immediately identified with the game. Earlier this week we discussed the origins of Monopoly back in the first part of the 20th century. As the game became more popular, Parker Brothers realized that producing different versions of each game would be attractive to different markets. Millionaires of the day found the Monopoly concept irresistible, and were willing to pay a considerable amount more for a game that would set itself apart from the standard games.
The very first Monopoly tokens weren't even tokens, they were buttons, or coins, or whatever was available. When Charles Darrow produced his first games in 1934 there were no tokens included. Players were responsible for providing whatever they had available for markers. Parker Brothers, after acquiring the rights in 1935, provided the first metal tokens as we know them today. These were also included in the Patent Description, and originally included the Thimble, Cannon, Iron, Top Hat, Shoe and Battleship.
The early metal die cast tokens were made by the Dowst Manufacturing Company with a Zinc alloy called Zamak, also referred to as Pot Metal or White Metal. These were made from 1935 to 1938, and had a tendency to oxidize very quickly, why many of the original tokens have a poor appearance. This was a result of impurities in the manufacturing process. By the late 1930s these impurities were eliminated and used a metal token made of lead and tin, similar to those used today. The tokens were the same charms as Cracker Jack used and were made by the same company, Dowst, out of Chicago. The Dowst Company invented die casting and also made the first die cast cars ... Tootsietoys!
The very first Monopoly tokens weren't even tokens, they were buttons, or coins, or whatever was available. When Charles Darrow produced his first games in 1934 there were no tokens included. Players were responsible for providing whatever they had available for markers. Parker Brothers, after acquiring the rights in 1935, provided the first metal tokens as we know them today. These were also included in the Patent Description, and originally included the Thimble, Cannon, Iron, Top Hat, Shoe and Battleship.
The early metal die cast tokens were made by the Dowst Manufacturing Company with a Zinc alloy called Zamak, also referred to as Pot Metal or White Metal. These were made from 1935 to 1938, and had a tendency to oxidize very quickly, why many of the original tokens have a poor appearance. This was a result of impurities in the manufacturing process. By the late 1930s these impurities were eliminated and used a metal token made of lead and tin, similar to those used today. The tokens were the same charms as Cracker Jack used and were made by the same company, Dowst, out of Chicago. The Dowst Company invented die casting and also made the first die cast cars ... Tootsietoys!
In 1936, Parker Brothers offered several variations of the standard set that included different tokens than the original six. The Deluxe Set featured slightly larger gold colored tokens, with greater detail than the standard tokens. In early 1936, a version was offered with wooden tokens. It is often thought that these were a "Wartime Issue" token only, but that is not the case. Wooden tokens were available from 1936 through the early 1950s.
As the United States entered World War II and metal became scarce, Parker Brothers swapped to using alternative materials including the wooden tokens already in production, although several other variations of the wooden tokens were used in addition to the standard wooden sets. They also introduced another version made of a composite material composed of sawdust and compressed paper. These included several new token variations not used previously. Known composite versions include a car, pig, train, cannon, elephant, iron, dog, bathtub, shoe, battleship, tank, horse & rider, fighter plane and a DC-3 cargo plane. Both of the planes are extremely hard to find today.
Foreign wartime versions of Monopoly also used Cardboard Tokens fitted with slotted wooden bases.
Foreign wartime versions of Monopoly also used Cardboard Tokens fitted with slotted wooden bases.
Shortly after World War II Parker Brothers began producing its own pewter versions of the tokens, based upon the Dowst originals. Several pieces have been retired or replaced over the years within the standard Monopoly games. Discontinued tokens include the Horse & Rider, The Cannon, the Money Bag (produced from 1998 to 2007), the Train, and in 2013 the Flat Iron was replaced with a Cat.
Today the Standard Edition sets include 8 tokens: The Dog, Battleship, Car, Top Hat, Thimble, Shoe, Wheelbarrow, and the Cat.
In the 1990's Hasbro began producing licensing variations of Monopoly to other companies, including USAopoly and Late-For-The-Sky Productions, to allow games to be customized for specific regions, schools, events, companies, and movies. Most of these variations were offered with unique tokens relative to the theme of the game. Hasbro also customized their own versions of the game. This, in effect, created an immediate collectors market as these games were not only sought as games, but became a "Cross-Collectible". Star Wars collectors loved the highly detailed Pewter Tokens, Firefighters found a new theme game for the station, and kids loved to play with the Disney themed characters. many of the early customized version were produced in extremely limited quantities, and have become quite sought after - and valuable - today.
Today the Standard Edition sets include 8 tokens: The Dog, Battleship, Car, Top Hat, Thimble, Shoe, Wheelbarrow, and the Cat.
In the 1990's Hasbro began producing licensing variations of Monopoly to other companies, including USAopoly and Late-For-The-Sky Productions, to allow games to be customized for specific regions, schools, events, companies, and movies. Most of these variations were offered with unique tokens relative to the theme of the game. Hasbro also customized their own versions of the game. This, in effect, created an immediate collectors market as these games were not only sought as games, but became a "Cross-Collectible". Star Wars collectors loved the highly detailed Pewter Tokens, Firefighters found a new theme game for the station, and kids loved to play with the Disney themed characters. many of the early customized version were produced in extremely limited quantities, and have become quite sought after - and valuable - today.
Coming Next: Today's Most Collectible Monopoly Games and Their Values.