Posted 14 years ago
ttomtucker
(314 items)
These telephone tokens or test coins were used instead of the coin telephone repairman using his own nickel to test a payphone. many of the test coins have the name of the telephone company stamped on the front and they have plain back. Most of the test coins were manufactured by Moise Klinkner located on Market St. San Francisco.
These are awesome. Especially to see together. I have never seen this type of telephone token before. Were they for Gray pay stations? And were some of these made by the Klinkner Company (369 Market) also advertising tokens, where a company would sell them at some kind of discount, but the token would have an ad on one side touting that company's services (along with their phone number)?
btw, When the Pioneers had a small telephone museum in the former Pacific Tel building on New Montgomery Street here in SF, there were some cool Sunset Tel and Tel items in there (SBC/ATT subsequently closed that museum down and shipped the stuff who knows where).
thanks potrero, I have been looking for PT&T or Southern California Telephone Co test coin, but don't know if there were any?
I have no idea but will keep my eyes open. The person to ask would be Gary Goff - he organizes the California phone shows (TCI)
I know Gary Goff from the TCI Southern & Nothern California Show. I have Emailed him the ones I have posted.
I'm looking for a master key for an Automatic Pay Phone. I have the upper key 29S and I'm looking for the coin box key. Master key. I would also like to know about telephone shows or museums in Northern California. I was told there maybe be one in San Jose or Stockton, CA.
There is a Northern California Telephone Show in will be held Nov 5, 2011 In San Jose. I will have to get the address. The master key for a coin box are hard to find.
I came across an a associated telephone co inc test coin today and have been unable to find out anything about it (dates etc ).Where would you suggest I look? It looks very similar to the coin posted at the top of this page and has lightly etched on the back SBD #5. Thanks for any info.
I worked for General Telephone Co of California. Starting in 1932 six Southern California independent telephone companies where combined into one, to be known as Associated Telephone Company,Ltd. The six companies where Associated Telephone Co of Long Beach and San Bernardino; Home Telephone Co of Covina, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach; Redondo Home Telephone Co, and Santa Monica Bay Telephone Co. The Associated Telephone Co operated under that name until Jan 1, 1953 when it was renamed General Telephone Co of California to more closely identify the company with the parent company General Telephone & Electronics Corporation, later to become GTE. Your test coin with SBD was more then likley from the San Bernardino Division
mine has LBD for the Long Beach Division. So your test coin could have been used any time between 1932 to 1953.
Hi Tom,
Have you ever seen an employee pin for San Joaquin Associated Telephone Company? I have heard they were issued but I have never seen one...
Also, have you ever seen a Sunset Telephone & Telegraph sign? Once again, I heard they exist but I have never seen one...
Many Thanks!
earthlandmagneto, I have seen both the San Joaquin sign and employees pin. I have also seen the Sunset T & T sign and The Pacific States T & T at The Pacific Telephone Co. museum in Los Angeles. They are very hard to find these days, there are a few of these signs in private collection in California.
Thank you Tom for your fast reply! Please let me know if you ever see any Associated Telephone pins...I collect them and I am willing to pay good prices. I am particularly looking for a San Joaquin Associated Telephone pin. Thanks again!
Thank you!
Any luck finding a San Joaquin Associated Telephone pin? I am also looking for a Platte Valley Telephone Corporation pin...Thanks again!
I have a test coin that has associated telephone co. just like the one on top of the page but on the back of mine it has the letters DNY#2. does anyone know what the letters and the #2 mean, and what year was this test coin probably used. Any info would be greatly appreciated