3.17.2017

MONOPOLY TOKENS: THE TRUE STORY!


"Monopoly" playing pieces, often referred to as tokens, date from 1935 when Parker Brothers bought the game rights. Prior to this, no playing pieces were supplied with the game. Players used familiar objects such as buttons and charms for tokens.

The original set of movers included the iron, racecar, thimble, shoe, top hat and battleship. The Scottie dog and wheelbarrow were added only in the early 1950s, Hasbro Gaming revealed in a press statement.



Tokens are the playing pieces used in the Monopoly board game. They differ depending on the edition, and the year of release of an edition.

Standard editions, however different they are, usually use pewter tokens. In 1998, a new piece was voted on to be added to the existing 10. The winner was a bag of money, which now appears in most standard editions.


The first pieces, from 1935 to about 1938, were made by the Dowst Manufacturing Company, makers of "Tootsietoys." These were die-cast from zamak, a zinc alloy also known as white metal, monkey metal, pot metal or die-cast zinc.

Impurities in the manufacturing process caused some of them to oxidise and turn black. Later non-tarnishing tokens were made of lead and tin. These non-tarnishing playing pieces appeared in sets licensed by Parker Brothers throughout the world, although some prewar Canadian sets included generic turned wood pawns of various shapes.

The tokens are:
Scottish Terrier
Battleship
Automobile
Top Hat
Shoe (or Boot)
Wheelbarrow
Cat - (August, 2013, the cat playing piece replaced the iron)


Recently Retired Pieces (May still be on store shelves)
Thimble (Retired March, 2017)
Horse & Rider
Howitzer (Often called the Cannon)
Bag of Money (1998-2007)
Iron (1930s - 2013)
Train (Only in Deluxe Editions)


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