Arago: Trade Check Tokens

Owney received this trade check token from Herman J. Thyes, who worked as a liquor salesman in Reno, Nevada in the 1890s. Thyes produced a series of such tokens during his business career. Trade checks such as these were used much like coupons are today, offered by merchants as a lure to increase customers’ purchases. This token offered the owner “one drink or cigar” on one side, with a list of products for sale on the other. At some point in his career Thyes was the proprietor of The Crystal saloon on 2nd Street in Reno.