TAMS Journal

The TAMS Journal is the official publication of the Token and Medal Society. Published six times a year, this venerable magazine is as old as the organization itself; the first issue was mailed to members in April 1961. Since that time literally thousands of articles, covering a vast range of subjects, have been published. Following is a list of just a few of the many topics to be found in previous issues: 

  • 1939 World’s Fair medals

  • Embossed shell cards

  • Gambling tokens

  • Franklin Institute medals

  • Hacienda tokens

  • Railroad cord wood tokens

  • Civil War tokens

  • Goetz medals

  • Textile mill tokens

  • Presidential tokens and medals

  • Sales tax tokens

  • Agricultural fair medals

  • Military tokens and medals

  • Amusement tokens

  • Coal and lumber scrip

  • Magicians’ tokens and medals

  • “Good for” trade tokens

  • Die sinkers’ tokens

  • Encased postage stamps

  • Commemorative medals

  • So-called dollars

  • Hard Times tokens

  • Lesher dollars

  • Baseball tokens and medals

And the list goes on. In addition to the bi-monthly magazine, the society occasionally publishes special supplement issues. Usually these are catalogs of specific subjects, and in many cases these are considered the standard references for their subject. Included are the following definitive catalogs: 

  • Delaware Merchant Tokens

  • Medals of the United States Assay Commission

  • A Tune for a Token

  • Prison Money

  • Hickey Brothers Cigar Store Tokens

  • The MITAD Tokens of Latin America

  • American Legion Medals

  • Chilean Nitrate Mine and Related Tokens

  • American Game Counters

  • The Trade Tokens of Texas (three volumes)

These catalogs are mailed to members along with their regular TAMS Journal issues, at no additional charge.

A complete set of TAMS Journal regular and supplement issues has become a vital part of most serious collectors’ libraries. Many back issues are still available from the society for a modest fee.

A typical TAMS Journal issue includes articles, society news, announcements relating to new token and medal issues, library updates, advertisements (every member is entitled to a free 25-word classified ad in each issue), and maverick token listings and attributions.