Set Description
In the United States children's play money began to appear between 1900 and 1930, increasing in the Great Depression. According to Clothier, "The Depression created a favorable climate for play money. Since there were few real coins for kids to play with, a substitute had to be found."
George Washington Play Money is described by Richard Clothier in his 1985 "Play Money of American Children" with additional examples not included in his edition from other sources listed below including from Rulau and Fuld's Medallic Portraits of Washington. This collection does not include game counters such as jetons and spielmarken, nor does it include paper play money.
One of the great artists of play money was the German engraver Franz Eue who created play money for Cracker Jack, Charms Candy, and Little Duchess Laundry. Notably, he also worked for the Medallic Art Company as a freelance artist beginning in 1929. He was the medalist for the New York Athletic Club Medallion in1927. For play money the initials EUE remained a mystery until a plea by Clothier in the 1984 TAMS.
Also in this collection are examples from the Meet The Presidents game. These coins were also included in the 1948 Topps Bubble Gum Golden Coin as described in David Hornish's 2013 The Modern Hobby Guide to Topps Chewing Gum: 1938 to 1956. The Meet The Presidents game used similar coins starting in 1949 and then the game was produced by Selchow & Righter.
Numbers are noted as Clothier, Baker, Kurth, or from the Krause Franklin Guidebook by catalog code.
Boitnott, David, "Shell Coin Games"
-http://www.coins-n-medals.com/Exhibits/ShellGames/ShellCoinGames.html
Clothier, Richard, "Play Money of American Children" Washington, MA 1985,
Clothier, Richard. Who is "Eue"? TAMS Journal 24:1 (Febuary) 1984
Goldman, Bill and Jamie. "The Crazy Shell's Mr. President Coin Game"
-http://www.billjamie.com/Shell/Shell-Coin-Game/Mr-President-Coin-Game/Mr-President-Coin-Game.html
Hornish, David, "The Modern Guide to Topps Chewing Gum: 1938 to 1956"
Krause, Chester, "Guidebook of Franklin Mint Issues, 1979 edition", Iola, WI 1979
Rulau, Russel and Fuld, George "Medallic Portraits of Washington, 2nd ed." Iola, WI 1999
Photography by Susan
Set Goals
Collecting George Washington "Play Money" examples from gas and store tokens, bubble gum and Cracker Jack packages as well as board games...
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| Clothier R1 |
United States
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25.5mm (1930's) ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON RED GOOSE SHOES
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NGC MS 63
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| Clothier R1 |
United States 1930's
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Aluminum 25.5mm (1930's) ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON RED GOOSE SHOES Clothier R1
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NGC AU 58
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Clothier R1
Program ran from 1930's to 1965
R4
Obverse: 1st PRESIDENT, U.S.A., 1789 1797, bust facing right, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Reverse: FOR BOYS, FOR GIRLS, RED GOOSE SHOES, HALF THE FUN OF HAVING FEET
The presidential coins were available in the 1930s. According to Clothier, "premium tokens were given to young customers in the amount of purchase in a program similar to S&H Green Stamps."
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| Clothier L21
Kurth 95 |
United States
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Aluminum 18.5mm UNDATED ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON LUCKY PLAY MONEY - "5"
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NGC AU 50
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Clothier L21
Kurth 95
Designed by Franz Eue.
Issued in the 1930's.
R2
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, bust facing right, Eue
Reverse: LUCKY PLAY MONEY, 5, sprig with 12 berries, star.
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| Clothier L21
Kurth 95 |
United States 1930's
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Aluminum 18.5mm UNDATED ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON LUCKY PLAY MONEY - "5" Clothier L21
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NGC AU 58
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Clothier L21
Kurth 95
Designed by Franz Eue.
Issued in the 1930's.
R2
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, bust facing right, Eue
Reverse: LUCKY PLAY MONEY, 5, sprig with 12 berries, star.
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| Clothier C34 |
United States 1930's
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Aluminum 22mm UNDATED ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON CHARMS CANDY
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NGC AU 58
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Clothier C34
Designed by Franz Eue. These were issued in the 1930's.
R3
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, George Washington facing right. Eue in the lower right.
Reverse: OUR FIRST PRESIDENT, 1789-1797, FEDERALIST, BORN IN VIRGINIA, FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY, CHARMS CANDY.
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| Clothier C34 |
United States 1930's
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Aluminum 22mm UNDATED ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON CHARMS CANDY Clothier C34
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NGC AU 55
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Clothier C34
Designed by Franz Eue. These were issued in the 1930's.
R3
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, George Washington facing right. Eue in the lower right.
Reverse: OUR FIRST PRESIDENT, 1789-1797, FEDERALIST, BORN IN VIRGINIA, FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY, CHARMS CANDY.
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| Baker 854 |
United States 1930's
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Aluminum 20mm UNDATED ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON PIED PIPER ICE CREAM
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NGC MS 61
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| Clothier C123 |
United States
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25mm (c.1933) ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON CRACKER JACK MYSTERY CLUB
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NGC MS 61
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| Clothier C123 |
United States 1933
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Aluminum 25mm (c.1933) ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON CRACKER JACK MYSTERY CLUB
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NGC MS 60
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Clothier C123
Aluminum
R1
25mm
Designed by Franz Eue
Obverse: 1st PRESIDENT USA, 1789-1798, George Washington facing right, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Reverse:AMERICAN FABIUS, JOIN, CRACKER JACK, MYSTERY CLUB, SAVE THIS COIN, THE CRACKER JACK CO., CHICAGO, U.S.A., FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY
These coins are attributed to Franz Eue.
Thomas Casper "Cracker Jack Presidential Tokens" June, 1979, TAMS
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| Clothier C123 |
United States 1933
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Aluminum 25mm (c.1933) ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON CRACKER JACK MYSTERY CLUB Clothier 123
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NGC AU 58
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Clothier C123
Aluminum
R1
25mm
Designed by Franz Eue
Obverse: 1st PRESIDENT USA, 1789-1798, George Washington facing right, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Reverse:AMERICAN FABIUS, JOIN, CRACKER JACK, MYSTERY CLUB, SAVE THIS COIN, THE CRACKER JACK CO., CHICAGO, U.S.A., FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY
These coins are attributed to Franz Eue.
Thomas Casper "Cracker Jack Presidential Tokens" June, 1979, TAMS
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| Meet The Presidents Board Game 1949 |
United States 1949
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Brass 25.5mm (1949) BRASS GEORGE WASHINGTON AMERICAN FABIOUS
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NGC MS 62
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This coin is from the 1949 game Meet The Presidents produced by Topps for Toys. The coin was produced by The Osborne Register Co of Cincinnati. NGC labeled the holder as "American Fabious" as that is what is on the reverse, although it is from an original 1949 Meet The Presidents game.
Obverse: 1ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 1789 1797, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Reverse: "AMERICAN FABIOUS", FIRST, IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN THE HEARTS, OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, SERVED EIGHT YEARS, AS PRESIDENT, WITHOUT, PAY, "FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY"
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| Meet The Presidents Board Game 1949 |
United States 1949
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Brass 25.5mm (1949) BRASS GEORGE WASHINGTON AMERICAN FABIOUS
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NGC MS 61
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This coin is from the 1949 game Meet The Presidents produced by Topps for Toys. The coin was produced by The Osborne Register Co of Cincinnati. NGC labeled the holder as "American Fabious" as that is what is on the reverse, although it is from an original 1949 Meet The Presidents game.
Obverse: 1ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 1789 1797, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Reverse: "AMERICAN FABIOUS", FIRST, IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN THE HEARTS, OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, SERVED EIGHT YEARS, AS PRESIDENT, WITHOUT, PAY, "FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY"
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| Meet The Presidents Board Game 1953 |
United States 1953
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Aluminum 29mm (1953) ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON AMERICAN FABIOUS
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NGC MS 61
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After the initial 1949 Meet The Presidents board game by Topps, the game was sold to the more well-known company Selchow & Righter, the same company that produced Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit. Here is the 1953 version of the George Washington token that was now made in Aluminum instead of brass. The game itself is the 1949 version, only the game coins have changed.
Obverse: 1ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 1789 1797, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Reverse: "AMERICAN FABIOUS", FIRST, IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN THE HEARTS, OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, SERVED EIGHT YEARS, AS PRESIDENT, WITHOUT, PAY, "FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY"
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View Coin
| Meet The Presidents Board Game 1953 |
United States 1953
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Aluminum 29mm (1953) ALUMINUM GEORGE WASHINGTON AMERICAN FABIOUS
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NGC MS 65
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After the initial 1949 Meet The Presidents board game by Topps, the game was sold to the more well-known company Selchow & Righter, the same company that produced Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit. Here is the 1953 version of the George Washington token that was now made in Aluminum instead of brass. The game itself is the 1949 version, only the game coins have changed.
Obverse: 1ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 1789 1797, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Reverse: "AMERICAN FABIOUS", FIRST, IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN THE HEARTS, OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, SERVED EIGHT YEARS, AS PRESIDENT, WITHOUT, PAY, "FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY"
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| Krause LAS (Landmarks of America Series) |
United States 1969
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Bronze 26mm (1969) BRONZE MOUNT RUSHMORE SUNOCO LANDMARKS OF AMER. Krause LAS
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NGC MS 67
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Although not exactly from a game, this bronze medal was created by the Franklin Mint in parallel with the Aluminum medals created for the Sun Oil Company customers.
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| Krause LAS (Landmarks of America Series) |
United States 1969
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Bronze 26mm (1969) BRONZE MOUNT RUSHMORE SUNOCO LANDMARKS OF AMER. Krause LAS
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NGC MS 66
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Although not exactly from a game, this bronze medal was created by the Franklin Mint in parallel with the Aluminum medals created for the Sun Oil Company customers.
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| Krause LAG (Landmarks of America Game) |
United States 1969
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Aluminum 26mm (1969) ALUMINUM MOUNT RUSHMORE SUNOCO LANDMARKS OF AMER. Krause LAG
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NGC MS 65
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Sunoco had a Landmarks of America Game with 20 different medals. This medal has the Sunoco logo, but some do not and the medals were also made in bronze and gold-on-sterling silver, all by the Franklin Mint. Mount Rushmore was *8 in the series of medals and, of course, has George Washington (1st) , Thomas Jefferson (3rd) , Theodore Roosevelt (26th) and Abraham Lincoln (16th) on the face. The National Memorial is stunning and sits in South Dakota. It is also featured on the 2006 South Dakota State Quarter and the 2013 American The Beautiful Quarter.
Obverse: MOUNT RUSHMORE, Four presidents
Reverse: SUNOCO, LANDMARKS, OF, AMERICA
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| Krause LAG (Landmarks of America Game) |
United States 1969
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Aluminum 26mm (1969) ALUMINUM MOUNT VERNON SUNOCO LANDMARKS OF AMER. Krause LAG
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NGC MS 65
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Sunoco had a Landmarks of America Game with 20 different medals. This medal has the Sunoco logo, but some do not and the medals were also made in bronze and gold-on-sterling silver, all by the Franklin Mint. Mount Vernon was *8a in the series of medals.
Obverse: MOUNT VERNON, picture of Mt. Vernon
Reverse: SUNOCO, LANDMARK, OF, AMERICA
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| Presidential Coin Game 1992 |
United States 1992
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Brass TOKEN (1992)SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, BRASS PRESIDENTIAL COIN GAME
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NGC MS 66
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| Presidential Coin Game 1992 |
United States 1992
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Brass TOKEN (1992)SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, BRASS PRESIDENTIAL COIN GAME
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NGC MS 65
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View Coin
| Presidential Coin Game 1992 |
United States 1992
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Brass TOKEN (1992)SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, BRASS PRESIDENTIAL COIN GAME
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NGC MS 63
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Shell Oil Company
Presidential Coin Game
1992
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1789 1797, FIRST PRESIDENT, OF THE UNITED STATES
Reverse: GEORGE, WASHINGTON, BORN FEB 22 1732, FIRST IN THE HEARTS, OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED, FIRST PRESIDENT, DIED DEC 14, 1799
With the presidential contest between Bill Clinton and George HW Bush, Shell commissioned this 1992 offering requiring fill-ups of gasoline to obtain brass coins to complete this 8 coins set that included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy
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View Coin
| Presidential Coin Game 1992 |
United States 1992
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Brass TOKEN (1992)SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, BRASS PRESIDENTIAL COIN GAME
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NGC MS 67
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Shell Oil Company
Presidential Coin Game
1992
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1789 1797, FIRST PRESIDENT, OF THE UNITED STATES
Reverse: GEORGE, WASHINGTON, BORN FEB 22 1732, FIRST IN THE HEARTS, OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED, FIRST PRESIDENT, DIED DEC 14, 1799
With the presidential contest between Bill Clinton and George HW Bush, Shell commissioned this 1992 offering requiring fill-ups of gasoline to obtain brass coins to complete this 8 coins set that included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy
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View Coin
| Presidential Coin Game 1992 |
United States 1992
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Brass TOKEN (1992)SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, BRASS PRESIDENTIAL COIN GAME
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NGC MS 67
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Shell Oil Company
Presidential Coin Game
1992
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1789 1797, FIRST PRESIDENT, OF THE UNITED STATES
Reverse: GEORGE, WASHINGTON, BORN FEB 22 1732, FIRST IN THE HEARTS, OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED, FIRST PRESIDENT, DIED DEC 14, 1799
With the presidential contest between Bill Clinton and George HW Bush, Shell commissioned this 1992 offering requiring fill-ups of gasoline to obtain brass coins to complete this 8 coins set that included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy
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View Coin
| Presidential Coin Game 1992 |
United States 1992
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Brass TOKEN (1992)SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, BRASS PRESIDENTIAL COIN GAME
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NGC MS 66
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Shell Oil Company
Presidential Coin Game
1992
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1789 1797, FIRST PRESIDENT, OF THE UNITED STATES
Reverse: GEORGE, WASHINGTON, BORN FEB 22 1732, FIRST IN THE HEARTS, OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED, FIRST PRESIDENT, DIED DEC 14, 1799
With the presidential contest between Bill Clinton and George HW Bush, Shell commissioned this 1992 offering requiring fill-ups of gasoline to obtain brass coins to complete this 8 coins set that included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy
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View Coin
| Presidential Coin Game 1992 |
United States 1992
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Brass TOKEN (1992)SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, BRASS PRESIDENTIAL COIN GAME
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NGC MS 66
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Shell Oil Company
Presidential Coin Game
1992
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1789 1797, FIRST PRESIDENT, OF THE UNITED STATES
Reverse: GEORGE, WASHINGTON, BORN FEB 22 1732, FIRST IN THE HEARTS, OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED, FIRST PRESIDENT, DIED DEC 14, 1799
With the presidential contest between Bill Clinton and George HW Bush, Shell commissioned this 1992 offering requiring fill-ups of gasoline to obtain brass coins to complete this 8 coins set that included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy
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View Coin
| Krause PRS (Presidential Series) |
United States 1968
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Aluminum TOKEN 1968 SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, AL MR. PRESIDENT COIN GAME
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NGC MS 61
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Shell Oil Company
Mr. President Coin Game, produced in 1968 by the Franklin Mint
Diameter 26mm
Obverse: FIRST PRESIDENT, 1789 1797, bust facing left, 1968, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Reverse: SHELL'S MR PRESIDENT COIN GAME
Sculptor Philip Nathan
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View Coin
| Krause PRS (Presidential Series) |
United States 1968
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Aluminum TOKEN 1968 SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, AL MR. PRESIDENT COIN GAME
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NGC MS 63
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Shell Oil Company
Mr. President Coin Game, produced in 1968 by the Franklin Mint
Diameter 26mm
Obverse: FIRST PRESIDENT, 1789 1797, bust facing left, 1968, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Reverse: SHELL'S MR PRESIDENT COIN GAME
Sculptor Philip Nathan
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| Baker 799
Krause FFG (Famous Facts & Faces Game) |
United States 1968
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Aluminum TOKEN 1968 SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, AL FAMOUS FACTS & FACES GAME
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NGC MS 62
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Baker 799
Shell Oil Company- struck by the Franklin Mint
Famous Facts and Faces. 1968
Diameter 25.5mm
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, bust facing left
Reverse: SHELL'S FAMOUS FACTS & FACES GAME
Per Krause, "This promotional game, used by the Shell Oil Company in 1968, combined portraits of famous Americans with scenes related to their lives. Cash prizes were awarded for obtaining certain combinations of specimens or 'Instant Winners.'
George Washington #11 in Franklin Mint issue (out of 24 aluminum pieces)
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View Coin
| Baker 799
Krause FFG (Famous Facts & Faces Game) |
United States 1968
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Aluminum TOKEN 1968 SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, AL FAMOUS FACTS & FACES GAME
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NGC MS 64
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Baker 799
Shell Oil Company- struck by the Franklin Mint
Famous Facts and Faces. 1968
Diameter 25.5mm
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, bust facing left
Reverse: SHELL'S FAMOUS FACTS & FACES GAME
Per Krause, "This promotional game, used by the Shell Oil Company in 1968, combined portraits of famous Americans with scenes related to their lives. Cash prizes were awarded for obtaining certain combinations of specimens or 'Instant Winners.'
George Washington #11 in Franklin Mint issue (out of 24 aluminum pieces)
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View Coin
| Baker 799
Krause FFG (Famous Facts & Faces Game) |
United States 1968
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Aluminum TOKEN 1968 SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, AL FAMOUS FACTS & FACES GAME Baker 799
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NGC MS 65
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Baker 799
Shell Oil Company- struck by the Franklin Mint
Famous Facts and Faces. 1968
Diameter 25.5mm
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON, bust facing left
Reverse: SHELL'S FAMOUS FACTS & FACES GAME
Per Krause, "This promotional game, used by the Shell Oil Company in 1968, combined portraits of famous Americans with scenes related to their lives. Cash prizes were awarded for obtaining certain combinations of specimens or 'Instant Winners.'
George Washington #11 in Franklin Mint issue (out of 24 aluminum pieces)
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View Coin
| Famous American Coin Game 1968
"smooth shell variant"
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United States 1968
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Aluminum TOKEN (1968)SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, AL FAMOUS AMERICAN COIN GAME
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NGC MS 65
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Shell Oil Company
Famous American Coin Game
1968
Glendinning Companies, Inc. produced the game pieces. This is the soft shell variant.
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON FOUNDING FATHER 1732 1799
Reverse: FAMOUS AMERICANS COIN GAME, SHELL
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View Coin
| Famous American Coin Game 1968
"course shell variant"
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United States 1968
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Aluminum TOKEN (1968)SHELL OIL CO. GEORGE WASHINGTON, AL FAMOUS AMERICAN COIN GAME
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NGC MS 66
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Shell Oil Company
Famous American Coin Game
1968
Glendinning Companies, Inc. produced the game pieces. This is the course shell variant.
Obverse: GEORGE WASHINGTON FOUNDING FATHER 1732 1799
Reverse: FAMOUS AMERICANS COIN GAME, SHELL
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