A. F. Co.

19mm, brass

John writes: This is a banana talley used in Jamaica. The token shown is one of about 60 varieties known. It was used by the Atlantic Fruit Company (LTD) of Jamaica, W.I. The company was founded in 1905 and went through various owners and finally in 1931 was sold to the Standard Co. It was that company that added the punch mark and letters. The variety of letters used includes MB, DC and M8 although there are a few tallies with a single M, 8 or B. The meaning of the letters has not been determined. The values have been from a few dollars up to a hundred dollars or so depending on the variety. A large hoard was discovered in Jamaica in the last 20 to 30 years and they have been slowly sold off. This particular token I would value at about $50. For more information on this tally and similar tallies I recommend the book written by Bob Lyall called "The Tokens, Checks, Metallic Tickets, Passes and Tallies of the British Caribbean & Bermuda". This book is available through TAMS .

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