Portland Co-Operative

21mm, brass

In "Oregon Trade Tokens" by James Hemphill, 9 varieites of this token are listed (p. 377), all are R-1 (abundant). A similar "5 cts" token is R-6 (very rare, 2-5 known), and a "10 c" token is R-2 (common).
Marty writes: I found the same token shown in your picture in Orovill, California, I talked with some friends in the Oregon AFL-CIO and they tell me that it was Portland, Oregon and that it was an idea for a labor co-op that predated the labor councils in Oregon. They also tell me that some of the people involved are still around, I'm in the process of trying to talk to them. Their co-op was in down town Portland, they had union shops (barber shops, restaurants, bar, etc)
Georgianne writes: This was some sort of fund (pension/savings ?) that only union members could buy into and sell. This was in Portland, Ore during the 1920s - my grandfather had a certificate but I do not know what happened to the association, probably lost everything in the 1928 depression, but I am just guessing.
Tom writes: I have two similar pieces. One is red fiber and features the same design on both sides (identical to yours). The other is aluminum and has "Good For 5 Cents In Trade" on the reverse. Both were acquired in Texas. My problem has been, if Portland is referring to a city, which one, Maine or Oregon or somewhere in between?
Possibly a Mormon Church benevolence item (given to poor to purchase from church-run store)

Know anything about this token? Please send me a note: pineconeforge(at)gmail.com