Obverse Design
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The legend "PHILIPPINE RATTAN" curves along the top.
The legend "FURNITURE" curves along the bottom.
In smaller letters, it says "W|N" ("WIN" with an up-arrow in place of the "I") along the left
rim and "LO|SE" ("LOSE" with an up-arrow in the middle) along the right rim as you look at the
token. The center has an elephant wearing glasses and reading a book on a rattan chair.
The token has a smooth plain raised edge.
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Reverse Design
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The token has a horseshoe with the opening straight up. There is a four-leaf clover at the top
where the horseshoe opens up. The token has the legends "GOOD" and "LUCK" on two lines in the
center of the token, with a dot in the center (in between the two lines).
The token has a smooth plain raised edge.
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Metal
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White metal, most likely copper-nickel (nickel per the Asociación Numismático).
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Weight
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Unknown.
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Size and Shape
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Round, 25.5 mm in diameter.
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Dates Issued
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Unknown, but probably 1940's.
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Issurer
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Philippine Ratan Furniture Store.
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Mintage
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Unknown.
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Rarity
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Scarce.
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Manufacturer
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Unknown.
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Other Catalog Numbers
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Asociación Numismático's F-245.
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Varieties
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The TAHITI Good Luck token has a different obverse but the same reverse design.
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Function
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Unknown. Perhaps a merchant token, novelty business card or just good luck piece.
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Population Count
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Five specimens of this token in collector hands are known to me.
Recent sales include:
- Auction sale on ebay on January 9, 2007 for $22.37 plus $2.50 shipping.
- Auction sale on ebay on July 14, 2006 for $9.39 plus $2.50 shipping.
- Auction sale on ebay on February 19, 2001 for $21.55 plus $2.00 shipping.
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Notes
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The TAHITI Good Luck token issued by the Tahiti Jewelry store is the same diameter, made of
the same metal and has the same reverse design as well as similar design elements on the
obverse. The pattern in naming the stores (Tahiti Jewelry Store, Philippines Ratan Furniture
Store) suggests that the two stores had the same owner or owners, who most likely ordered
both of these tokens from the same manufacturer around the same date.
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