LOT John D Kennedy  /  Navajo Trade Tokens  / 

26

Weidemeyer 50-cent Trade Token

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana / Collectibles - Tokens Start Price:20.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Weidemeyer 50-cent Trade Token
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Charlie Weidemeyer was an early trader in the Gallup area beginning in the late 1890s, He owned several stores including Chinle Trading at Canyon de Chelly. As with many traders in the early days, their post office was listed as Gallup since there were no postal codes. Navajo mail was rare until the government because active with Navajo affairs in the 70s. Mail was delivered to the trading posts or traders who then distributed the mail to Navajo customers. Each trader had alphabetical mail cubby holes When Navajo customers came to the trading post, they would inquire about mail. Traders told them when they had mail since it was a rarity until the government started sending welfare checks. This was a major sticky point with the government because the feeling was that mail could be censured or confiscated by traders. However, there was no other way of getting mail to the reservation trading posts.
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