1088

Shell Cards

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 USD and UP
Shell Cards
Preview
Holabird-Kagin Americana Office
3555 Airway Drive Suite#309
Reno, NV 89511
Thursday August22, 10am-6pm
* Preview also available by appointment

Live Auction
Friday & Saturday
August 23 & 24, 2013
9am PDT starting time, both days

Location
Atlantis Casino & Resort
Grand Ballroom #4
3800 S. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89502

Lot Pick Up
Holabird-Kagin Americana Office
3555 Airway Drive Suite #309
Reno, NV 89511
Sunday August 25, 10am-1pm

1876-This rare shellcard is made in the style of a US $20 gold, similar to a Type II US $20, but without the motto. The interesting part, though, is the size – it is the same size as a $50 (Wass Molitor size). The piece will undoubtedly be listed in Dave Bowers’ new book on shellcards published by TAMS later this year. The work will be a first describing these unusual tokens made of two pieces of thin metal with a center filled with a cardboard like material. In this manner, a coin like this could have significant weight without the use of 100% metal. In general, US shellcards are so rare, that we’ve only offered a handful of them over the past three decades. This piece may be considered a “gaming counter” for use in card games (because of its similarity to a US $20), particularly in saloons. HKA#64832