World Tokens, the Property of a North Country Collector

Jamaica, United Fruit Company, fruit tallies (17), brass, U.F.Co., letters with serifs and 3 lines above and below, 19mm, rev. blank; rev. stamped S rev. stamped K; rev. crude F; rev. stamped with 3 dots; square, 19mm, rev. blank; octagonal, 19mm, rev. blank; oval, 24 x 16mm, rev. blank; larger letters, 19mm, rev. blank; no lines, 19mm, rev. blank; no serifs, 1912, scroll design above and below, 19mm; larger letters, no date, scroll design above and below, 19mm, rev. blank; octagonal, U.F.Co with serifs, rev. blank, 17mm; similar with crude F stamped on obv.; octagonal, no serifs, ornamental lines above and below; triangular, no serifs, 20mm; as first type with crude x on rev. (Lyall 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 395, 396, 397, 398, 400, 401, 408, 409, 410, 412, last not recorded in Lyall) [17]. Generally fine, all pierced as issued, some rare £80-£100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, World Tokens, the Property of a North Country Collector.

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The united Fruit Company was formed in March 1899 in New Jersey and in time had a near-monopoly of the Jamaican banana trade until the early 1930’s. In its pursuit of business it dominated competitors, governments, railroads, planters, fought organised labour and exploited consumers and its workers. The various tallies were used over 70 years and the different shapes and styles were to identify specific work tasks and rates of pay