| Obverse Design |
Indian Bust facing left with the legend "SILVER" above and "NICKEL" below. |
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| Reverse Design | Legend "Club El Marino" above. Legend "Coco Solo, C.Z." below. The center has a motto "THE MAJORITY OF US THOROUGHLY ENJOY LIFE". | ||||
| Color | Black print on silver background. | ||||
| Material | Wood. | Weight | About 2.5 grams. | Size and Shape | Round, 37.5 mm in diameter. |
| Dates Issued | Unknown (1970's?). | ||||
| Issuer | Club El Marino based in Coco Solo, Canal Zone. Translated from the Spanish, "Club El Marino" means "The Sailor Club". Please e-mail me if you know more about this club. | ||||
| Mintage | Unknown. | ||||
| Rarity | Very Rare. | Manufacturer | Probably the Old Time Wooden Nickel Company. | Other Catalog Numbers | Asociación Numismático's FM-3. |
| Varieties | There are a total of three varieties known. One variety uses a silver background instead of the natural wood, and says "SILVER NICKEL" on the obverse. Two varieties use the natural wood background, one with blue print and one with black print. | ||||
| Function | The function of this piece is unknown besides what can be deduced from the piece itself. This could be a drink marker from a bar, a souvenir from a drinking club or a souvenir from a boating and yachting club. I would appreciate e-mail from anyone who can add anything. | ||||
| Population Count | Two specimens in collector hands are known to me. I do not know of any recent sales. | ||||
From the Canal Zone Review, Fall 1971 Edition
pc335-01