3087

Satirical "Teddy Bear" Note Goldfield, Exploitation Mercantile Company [204774]

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Satirical  Teddy Bear  Note Goldfield, Exploitation Mercantile Company [204774]
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Fanciful propaganda scrip circa 1907 used by Goldfield mine workers demanding cash pay from the mine owners headed by George Wingfield who had instituted a scrip system as one way to break the union. Obverse reads: "Exploitation Mercantile Company," "Good for Five Dollars in Trade," "Branch of the Consolidated Mines Company," "Teddy Bear Currency," signed by E. Z. Marks/Cashier. Reverse reads: "This is the Only Kind of Money Nevada Will See if the Goldfield Miners Union Lose the Strike Against the Infamous Scrip System". Folds, wear. Mining company scrip was commonplace in eastern mines, made an introduction in Colorado mines and other Western states, but in Nevada miners wanted to be paid in gold and silver, the same metals they mined. Nobody accepted the scrip system, and it collapsed after the miners strikes in the 1905-1915 period. Extremely rare, 7 x 3 inches.

This fabulous piece of scrip represents one of the most important (if not the most important) strike by the members of the International Workers of the World. It was printed in Chicago (IWW headquarters) and includes several historical references to the strike. The center picture of the Teddy Bear is reference to President Theodore Roosevelt who sent in troops to quell the strike. The Stacked rifles in the corners represents those troops. The general message of the script is in reference to the attempt by the mine owners to pay the miners in script and not American money.
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Date:
Country (if not USA):
State: Nevada
City: Goldfield
Provenance: Douglas McDonald Collection