Tax tokens from USA
This tokens used during the Great Depression to pay taxes on small purchases when the tax
amount was less than 1 cent.
Tax tokens were created to avoid overcharging shoppers for sales tax on items
priced at 5 or 10 cents or less, where a full cent tax would represent a
significant portion of the purchase price.
They prevented overpayment of tax by rounding up. The tokens were first issued
in 1935 and were used in some states until the 1950s, when tax laws were
adjusted.
Cost of tax tokens
The most common tax tokens were issued in the states of Alabama, Arizona,
Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington. While there are rarer varieties, the token you
get from one of these states is likely worth no more than a few dollars (and
possibly less than $1). Many were produced in runs of tens of millions, and
while the lion's share of tax tokens were scrapped when they were no longer
needed, there are still plenty left.
But if you have a token from a state not on this list, it may be worth a lot
more.
Of course, as with coins, the value of tokens depends on condition. Examples in
excellent condition are always expensive, and can be much more expensive.
Tax tokens by the States