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Obverse Design
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The legend "BOQUETE COFFEE & COMMERCIAL CO." starts near the bottom left and
curves along the top until reaching the bottom right. Along the bottom between
the beginning and ending of the legend are four ornamental dots.
In the center, on three separate lines, are the
legends "FINCA", "-: SANTA :-" and "MARIA". Below that in larger font is the
date "1903". Above the word finca is an ornament consisting of a dash cross dash
("- + -"). This small cross has four equal length arms with arrowheads at the
end of each arm.
The token has denticles along the edge and a smooth plain raised edge.
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Reverse Design
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The legend "BOQUETE," curves along the top.
The legend "REPUBLIC" goes across the upper middle with an upward curve.
The word "OF" is in the center of the token.
The legend "COLUMBIA" goes across the lower middle with a downward curve.
The legend "S.A." curves along the bottom.
Below "BOQUETE," and above "REPUBLIC" are three ornamental dots next to each other.
On either side of the "OF" are dashes (or possibly three dots merged into each other
that look like a dash). Below "COLUMBIA" and above "S.A." is another set of
three ornamental dots. On either side on the "S.A." are ornamental
four-leaf clovers (or possibly crosses).
The token has denticles along the edge and a smooth plain raised edge.
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Metal
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Aluminum.
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Weight
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4.0 grams.
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Size and Shape
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Round, 34 mm in diameter.
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Dates Issued
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1903.
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Issurer
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BOQUETE COFFEE & COMMERCIAL CO.
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Mintage
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Unknown.
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Rarity
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Rare.
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Manufacturer
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Unknown, probably a United States firm.
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Other Catalog Numbers
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Asociación Numismático's F-65.
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Varieties
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Boquete Coffee and Commercial Company issued two different tokens. This variety
is slightly larger and does not have any denomination.
The other, smaller variety has the denomination of 1 Lata.
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Function
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Coffee plantation token. The token would be given a worker for filling a "lata"
with raw green coffee beans. A "lata" was a metal box about one cubic foot
in size. On payday the tokens would be turned in for money. In many cases
the tokens could also be redeemed at the plantation general store.
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Population Count
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Four specimens of this token in collector hands are known to me.
Recent sales include:
- Auction sale on ebay on June 3, 2003 for $187.50.
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Notes
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In 1894, J.R. Thomas was contracted by a Chicago firm (Boquete Coffee and Commercial
Company) to administer their coffee finca in Boquete. J.R. Thomas and his wife
Sarah moved from California to Boquete. J.R. Thomas managed Finca Santa Maria
(in the Alto Lino region) from 1894 until 1916. Under his management the finca
prospered. In 1907 it had 75,000 coffee trees,
and continued to do well until J.R. Thomas died unexpectedly in 1916. With
his passing, the Boquete Coffee and Commercial Company choose to discontinue
its coffee business.
The Finca Santa Maria tokens are the earliest known coffee finca tokens
from Boquete.
The town of Boquete is
in the mountains of Chiriqui province, where the climate is cooler
than at sea-level. Coffee, oranges, flowers and other agricultural products are
grown in the region surrounding Boquete.
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