The Allen Koenigsberg Phonograph Collection
Lot 3025:
Description
A group of 7 tokens used in “Coin in the slot” phonograph listening parlors. These tokens are historically significant as the very first dedicated music tokens minted for coin-operated phonographs. Introduced in 1890, they were used to operate early commercial listening machines such as the Albert Keller and the Manhattan machines which are the direct ancestors of the modern jukebox. At the time, reliable coin rejecter mechanisms did not exist, so businesses and operators used specialized tokens to manage payments and prevent fraud in public listening parlors. Included are 5 NYP Co. tokens (New York Phonograph Co.), a AS token (World A.S. Phonograph Co., Chicago, Illinois), and a super rare Columbia Phonograph Co. Washington D.C. token. From the Allen Koenigsberg collection.
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