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CO - Denver,1890 - Silver Ingot Rail Road Pass from the Traveler's Protective Association

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Bullion Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
CO - Denver,1890 - Silver Ingot Rail Road Pass from the Traveler's Protective Association
Session D is a Mail-Bid Only Auction. Absentee bids will be accepted only. No live bidding will be allowed. All winners will be contacted after the auction. BIDDING ENDS MONDAY JUNE 27 AT 5PM PACIFIC TIME!!!
This silver railroad pass is a fine example of one of the only three different precious metal railroad passes known in America. Holabird Americana sold another 1890 silver T. P. A. Bearer pass in 2003. The one offered here is a bearer's pass for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, Colorado Midland Railroad, and the Union Pacific Railroad. Very nicely toned 82.4 x 49.6 mm silver weighting 118.5 grams. Engraved and beautifully ornamented with a mountain scene picturing a train emerging from a tunnel across from the Toltec Gorge. Stamped on the obverse: "T. P. A. Convention Denver Colorado 1890." Stamped on the upper middle of the pass is the Travelers Protective Association's insignia. The center is divided diagonally. The Travelers Protective Association's website said "in January 1882 at a Chicago Hotel a small group of traveling men chanced to meet and discuss the problems that confronted the salesman. The importance of these problems, and the necessity for cooperation in solving them, caused these men to invite a number of other salesmen to a meeting at the Lima House, Lima, Ohio, on 12 February 1882. At that meeting, which was attended by twenty-four traveling salesmen, a temporary organization known as the Traveling Men's Club was formed. The next meeting of this group was held at Bellefontaine, Ohio on 24 June 1882, at which time a permanent organization was effected, with their constitution and bylaws adopted and officers elected with objectives set forth. This was to be known as The Travelers Protective Association of the United States. Their objectives were to provide for its members special concessions from hotels, railroads, and other transportation agencies and to trace grievances reported by the members." This pass is proof that the organization worked to benefit its members.