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. 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 "25" (without a cent sign) in the center. This variety does not have any stars around the denomination. There is a circle of beads close to the edge. The token has a smooth plain raised edge.
Metal Aluminum. Weight About 2.2 grams. Size and Shape Round, 28.4 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 Very Rare. Manufacturer Unknown. Other Catalog Numbers Cunningham # CZ160c and Curto # C26-25, but variety not specified.
Varieties At least two varieties of this denomination exist. The two known to me include the "No Cents Sign" variety which has the "bow" ornament on the obverse all connected together as one piece, and a slightly wider font. The other variety known to me is the "stars" variety which has three small stars around the denomination on the reverse as well as a cents sign. The "stars" variety has the obverse "bow" ornament as three separate components and uses a more narrow font for the legends.
Function Post Exchange token.
Population Count One definite and one possible specimen in collector hands is known to me. Recent sales include:
  1. Auction sale on ebay on September 28, 2003 for $201.52 plus $2 shipping.
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.