Obverse Design The legend "MARINE POST EXCHANGE" curves along the top. The legend "I.C.Z. PANAMA" curves along the bottom (I.C.Z. stands for Isthmian Canal Zone). In the center there is a bow ornament at the top "CAMP" and "ELLIOTT" in two lines and then another bow ornament below. The "bow" ornaments are one piece, with all components connected. There is a circle of beads close to the edge. The token has a smooth plain raised edge.
Reverse Design The legend "GOOD FOR" curves along the top, and the legend "IN TRADE" curves along the bottom. There is a large "5" in the center. There is a circle of beads close to the edge. The token has a smooth plain raised edge.
Metal Aluminum. Weight 1.1 grams. Size and Shape Round, 20 mm in diameter.
Dates Issued Sometime between 1905 and 1914.
Issuer Camp Elliott. U.S. Marines were stationed at Camp Elliott at Bas Obispo from 1905 to 1914.
Mintage Unknown.
Rarity Scarce. Manufacturer Unknown. Other Catalog Numbers Asociación Numismático's F-77 (photo of no cents variety), Cunningham's CZ160a (photo of no cents variety), Curto's C26-5, Henkle's CZ-12 and Schimmel #68.
Varieties A uniface variety of this denomination is known to exist, as well as a two-sided variety which does not have the cent sign, and another which does have the cent sign. The variety with the cent sign has the obverse "bow" ornament as three separate components and uses a narrow font for the legends. In comparison, the "No Cent Sign" variety has the "bow" ornament all connected together, and a slightly wider font for the legends.
Function Post Exchange token.
Population Count Four definite specimens and one possible specimen in collector hands are known to me. Recent sales include:
  1. Auction sale on ebay on February 18, 2001 for $255, exact variety unknown. Auction had a photo of only the obverse side of the coin. The photo showed that the "bow" ornaments on the token sold were connected as all one piece, so the specimen was probably of the "no cents sign" variety.
  2. Auction sale on ebay on April 19, 2004 for $35 plus $2 shipping of a "no cents" specimen in AG (About Good) condition.
Notes There are at least five series from Camp Elliott, which seems like a lot for a ten year span. The series are:
  1. Uniface Aluminum, only 5 cents denomination known.
  2. Aluminum No Cent Sign, occurs in 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents and one dollar denominations.
  3. Brass, only one dollar denomination known.
  4. Aluminum with the Cent Sign, only 5 cents denomination known.
  5. Aluminum with the Cent Sign and Stars, only 25 cents denomination known.