Excelsior Shoe Co. Tokens.
Good Luck Tokens with a Rider on Horseback.
As a boy scout leader and coin collector, I have done a great deal of research to share with the you the many "Shoe for Boys" tokens issued by the Excelsior shoe company.
Shoe for Boys.
The Excelsior Shoe Company took advantage of the opportunity to associate their
advertising with the new Boy Scout movement that began in 1910. They created a
"Boy Scout" shoe and tokens issued between July 1910 and January 1914. The
tokens were manufactured by Schwaab Stamp & Seal Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey.
The wording on the tokens, "Boy Scouts" & "Medal" were brand names of shoes
made by Excelsior. Tokens were usually bronze or brass and some were zinc.
Sterling silver tokens were also made in some varieties for Scoutmasters that had his entire troop buy Excelsior shoes. From the research I have done, I believe the Belle
Meade Shoe Co. reverse was made around 1916.
There are also tokens that show a hiker and uses the words "Boy Scout." One is an advertisment for the Peters Shoe Co. The other (from Tim Mahle) shows the same
hiker but has no advertisement on it.
I've classified the rider on horseback tokens into 5 major Versions:
- Version 1 - The reverse shows the Excelsior company emblem. The obverse has a rider under the wording BOY SCOUT, BOY SCOUTS OR WORLD SCOUTS.
- Version 2 - The reverse has a good luck swastika with GOOD LUCK over the swastika. The obverse has a rider under the wording BOY SCOUT, or BOY SCOUTS showing the date JULY 1910 in all case except for the Army Shoe type which has "Munson Last" below the rider.
- Version 3 - The reverse has a good luck swastika with GOOD LUCK under the swastika. The obverse has a rider (either a cow boy or Indian) under the wording BOY SCOUTS (with letters adjusted for the hole at the top in some cases). There is no date on the obverse.
- Version 4 - The reverse is similar to Version 2 with GOOD LUCK over the swastika. The obverse has a rider under the wording MEDAL showing the date July 1910.
- Version 5 - The reverse is a horseshoe opening down with the wording BELLE MEADE SHOE CO. NASHVILLE, TENN. The obverse is similar to Version 4 but without a date under the horse.
Additional Excelsior tokens exist but do not have a rider on horseback or say SHOE FOR BOYS and are not included. Except for the silver tokens, the tokens measure 32.5 mm in diameter. The three silver tokens I have are oblong and appear to be cast instead of struck and are 1 mm to 1.5 mm smaller that their counterparts. The three silver versions I have are 2, 3 and 5. Most of the tokens have a small hole at the top to allow it to be tied to the shoe before they were sold.
I've identified many variations but I expect more will be found. As they are found, I will make adjustments. If you have a variation that will help me and others, please email me that information at
TheHiker@SageVenture.com. I respond to all emails.
Not too long ago, David Caines contacted me about a type where Excelsior was spelt "Excelcior"; Version 3, Type 1. Thanks David
Each of the major versions has variations which I will call "Types" and variations within each type, I will call "Varieties." In some cases, I will have sub-Varieties because it is easy to see the difference. I have not followed the identification used by either reference because when I began collecting and with no pictures, I found much of the identification difficult to follow. The important aspect is not the numbers but understanding what you have.
Reverences:
Dioszegi, Rudy J. & Spacek, John. (2007). The Boy Scout Tokens of the Excelsior Shoe Company.
Hamel, Dick. (2005). Excelsior Shoe Company Tokens. Stanton, OR: Stayton Printing.
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Original "Boy Scouts" Shoe For Boys,
Version 1.
This group has the Excelsior company emblem on the reverse.
The obverse has a rider under the wording BOY SCOUT, BOY SCOUTS OR WORLD SCOUTS.
Version 1 не Свастическая, а посему безжалостно проигнорирована.
_________________________________________________________________________________The Original "Boy Scouts" Shoe For Boys.
Version 2.
This group has GOOD LUCK over a swastica on the reverse.
The obverse has a rider under the wording BOY SCOUT, or BOY SCOUTS showing the date
JULY 1910 in all case except for the Army Shoe type which has "Munson Last" below the rider.
Type 1.
"Boy Scout" arched over the rider.
Type 2.
"Boy Scouts" arched over the rider.
Variety A1.1:
Four stars on the horse blanket;
Quotes: normal
3 partial reins, 4 from hand;
date: 14.5 mm
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
Variety A1.2:
Four stars on the horse blanket;
Quotes: normal
3 partial reins, 2 from hand;
date: 13 mm;
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
Variety A1.3:
Four stars on the horse blanket;
Quotes: normal
3 partial reins, 4 from hand;
date: 13 mm;
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
Variety A2:
Four stars on the horse blanket;
Quotes: first inverted
3 partial reins, 4 from hand;
date: 13 mm;
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
ground below the "S" in BOYS
Variety A3.1:
Four stars on the horse blanket;
Quotes: first inverted
3 partial reins, 2 from hand;
date: 13 mm
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
ground intersects the "S" in BOY
Variety A3.2:
Four stars on the horse blanket;
Quotes: first inverted
3 partial reins, 4 from hand;
date: 13 mm
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
ground intersects the "S" in BOYS
from Nathan Mandrell
Variety A4:
Four stars on the horse blanket;
Quotes: first inverted
3 partial reins, 2 from hand;
date: 13 mm;
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
Horse and Rider shifted left
Variety B:
Quotes: normal
Four stars on the horse blanket;
3 partial reins, 4 from hand;
date: 13 mm;
Maker: none
Variety C1:
Quotes: normal
Five stars on the horse blanket;
3 full reins, 4 from hand;
date: 13 mm;
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
Variety C2:
Quotes: first inverted
Five stars on the horse blanket;
3 full reins, 4 from hand;
date: 13 mm;
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
Variety D:
Quotes: normal
Five stars on the horse blanket;
3 full reins, 4 from hand;
date: 13 mm;
Maker: none
Variety E:
Four stars on the horse blanket; 3 partial reins, 4 from hand
Variety E:
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee; STERLING stamped below maker
Type 3.
"Boy Scouts" arched over the rider
'Army Shoe' on the right & 'Munson Last' below the rider.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Membership Emblem of the Boy Scouts Club.
Version 3.
This group has a good luck swastika with GOOD LUCK under the swastika and the wording "Membership Emblem of the Boy Scouts Club" around the swastika.
The obverse has a rider (either a cowboy or Indian) under the wording BOY SCOUTS (with letters adjusted for the hole at the top in some cases). There is no date on the obverse.
Membership Emblem of the Boy Scouts Club
Version 3
This group has a good luck swastika with GOOD LUCK under the swastika and the wording
"Membership Emblem of the Boy Scouts Club" around the swastika.
The obverse has a rider (either a cowboy or Indian) under the wording BOY SCOUTS (with
letters adjusted for the hole at the top in some cases). There is no date on the obverse.
Version 3 totally revised (8/30/15).
Type 1.
"Boy Scouts" evenly arched evenly over the rider.
Variety A1:
5 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
"o" in Co completely in "C";
Period after Co;
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
Variety A2:
Same as token to the left
except company spelt "EXCELCIOR"
from David Caines
Variety A3:
5 stars on the horse blanket;
2 rains from hand;
"o" in Co completely in "C";
Period after Co;
Maker: Schwaab Milwaukee
Type 2.
"Boy Scouts" arched in a wavy line over the rider.
Variety A1:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
no rains from hand;
Ends of "C" touch top and bottom of "o";
Period after Co.;
Period after CLUB.;
Maker: none;
Reverse: no beading;
Reverse "OF" inline with top lettering.
Variety A2:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
no rains from hand;
"o" completely in "C";
No period after Co;
Period after CLUB.;
Maker: none;
Reverse: no beading;
Reverse "OF" inline with top lettering;
STERLING stamped in edge, 31 mm.
Variety B1:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
3 rains from hand;
Quotes normal size;
"o" completely in "C";
Period after Co.;
Reverse "OF" 1 mm above swastika
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm
Variety B2:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
No rains from hand;
Quotes small;
"o" completely in "C";
Period after Co.;
Reverse "OF" 1 mm above swastika
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm
Variety B3:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes large;
Ends of "C" touch top and bottom of "o";
Period after Co.;
Reverse "OF" 1 mm above swastika
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm
Variety C1.0:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
No rains from hand;
Quotes small;
Ends of "C" touch top and bottom of "o";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "E" in Excelsior
to the left side of the "E" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 18 mm.
(Note: obverse of A1 & reverse of C1.1)
Variety C1.1:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes small, last inverted;
Ends of "C" touch top and bottom of "o";
No period after Co;
Ground is from the top of the "E" in Excelsior
to the left side of the "E" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 18 mm.
Variety C1.2:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
2 faint rains from hand;
Quotes normal, last inverted;
Ends of "C" touch top and bottom of "o";
No period after Co;
Ground is from the top of the "E" in Excelsior
to the left side of the "E" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 18 mm
Variety C2.1:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes normal size;
"o" completely in "C";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "E" in Excelsior
to the left side of the "E" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm.
Variety C2.2:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes normal size;
"o" completely in "C";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "E" in Excelsior
to the left side of the "E" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 18 mm.
Variety C3:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes normal size, 1st inverted;
"o" completely in "C";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "E" in Excelsior
to the left side of the "E" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 17 mm.
Variety C4:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
4 faint rains from hand;
Quotes normal size;
"o" completely in "C";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "E" in Excelsior
to the left side of the "E" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 17 mm.
Variety C5:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
No rains from hand;
Quotes small;
"o" completely in "C";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "E" in Excelsior
to the left side of the "E" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm.
Variety C6:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
3 rains from hand;
Quotes large;
"o" completely in "C";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "E" in Excelsior
to the left side of the "E" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 17 mm.
Variety D1:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
3 rains from hand;
Quotes normal size;
Ends of "C" touch top and bottom of "o";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "H" in The
to the left side of the "O" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm.
Variety D2:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes large;
Ends of "C" touch top and bottom of "o";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "H" in The
to the left side of the "O" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 17 mm.
Variety D3:
2 stars on the horse blanket;
3 rains from hand;
Quotes normal size;
"o" completely in "C";
Period after Co.;
Ground is from the top of the "H" in The
to the left side of the "O" in Shoe;
Reverse "OF" is lower than associated wording
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 18 mm;
Zinc with no hole.
Variety E1:
3 stars on the horse blanket;
3 faint rains from hand;
Quotes small, last inverted;
"o" completely in "C";
No period after Co;
Ground ends over the letter "E" in Shoe;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm.
Variety E2:
3 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes normal size, last inverted;
"o" completely in "C";
No period after Co;
Ground ends over the letter "O" in Shoe;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm
Variety E3:
3 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes small, last inverted;
"o" completely in "C";
No period after Co;
Ground ends between the letters "HO" in Shoe;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm.
Variety E4:
3 stars on the horse blanket;
2 rains from hand;
Quotes small, last inverted;
Ends of "C" touch top and bottom of "o";
No period after Co;
Ground ends over the letter "O" in Shoe;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 18 mm.
Variety E5:
3 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes small, last inverted;
No "o" in "C"; No period after C;
Ground ends over the letter "O" in Shoe
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm.
contributed by Dave Michaud
Variety E6:
3 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes normal size, both inverted;
"o" completely in "C";
No period after Co;
Ground ends at the letter "C" in Co;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm.
Variety E7:
3 stars on the horse blanket;
4 rains from hand;
Quotes missing;
"o" completely in "C";
No period after Co;
Ground ends at the letter "C" in Co;
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ, 15 mm.
Type 3.
"Boy Scouts" arched in a wavy line over an Indian scout.
Variety A1:
Maker: Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark NJ
(Note: I understand that a second variety exists
with Schwaab as the Maker)
Тот же рисунок имеет место и на рекламном штампе, который на всех открытках одинаков:
FIRST SERGEANT OF ARTILLERY, U.S.ARMY.
PRINTED IN SAXONY BY APPOINTMENT
TUCK'S POST CARD
CARTE POSTALE. POSTKARTE.
( For Address Only )
FIRST SERGEANT OF ARTILLERY. A First Sergeant, during his
first enlistment as such, receives $45 a month, with usual allowances for
quarters, light and heat: this pay is increased during subsequent enlist-
ments. His duties are of a decidedly responsible character, inasmuch as he
superviscs the work of a Gun Sqund during drill, target: practice, or in
actual warfare, and must be conversant, in the case of coast defense opera-
tions, with all the intricacies of the modern range finding system by math-
cinatical means. The Sergeant in the accompanying picture is seen in
khaki field uniform, which first came into use by the American troops dur-
ing the Spanish-American War.
POSSESSORS OF THIS GOOD LUCK
"Boy Scouts" Emblem
Only
Attached
To
Each
Pair of
MEMBERSHIP EMBLEM OF THE BOY SCOUTS CLUB
卐
GOOD LUCK
EXCELSIOR
"Boy
Scouts"
SHOES
MADE IN PORTASMOUT, O.
PREPARE TO BE (GCC OTHER SIDE)
Raphael Tuck & Sons' "Educational Series"of Post Cards. N0.404,U.S. Army
ART PUBLISHERS TO THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING AND QUEEN.
Artist: C. Chapman (unsigned, attributed by Cowan/Weeks)
PRIVATE, U.S.ARMY.
FIELD UNIFORM.
LIEUTENANT OF ARTILLERY, U.S.ARMY.
GENERAL., U.S.ARMY._________________________________________________________________________________
The Excelsior MEDAL Shoe For Boys.
Version 4.
This group has GOOD LUCK over a swastica on the reverse.
The obverse has a rider under the wording MEDAL with the date July 1910.
Type 1.
SCHWAAB MILWAKEE on reverse below swastika
Obverse: 2 full reins, no stars on the horst blanket and right arm level from shoulder to elbow:
Variety A
Company appears as "CO";
Clover has stem;
Wishbone: wide separation, no blobs at ends
Variety B1:
Company appears as "CO";
Clover has stem;
Wishbone: wide separation, blobs at ends
& curved to right at top
Variety B2:
Company appears as "CO";
Clover has stem;
Wishbone: wide separation, blobs at ends
& curved to right at top;
Variety C1:
Company appears as "CO";
Clover has no stem;
Wishbone: narrow separation
Variety C2:
Company appears as "CO";
Clover has no stem;
Wishbone: narrow separation
Type 2.
Runic "D" symbol points up and no maker below the swastika.
Variety A:
Right arm is level
Variety B:
Right elbow points twoards left hand
Type 3.
Runic "D" symbol points down & there is a B on the canteen Right elbow points towards left hand, no stars on the horse blanket and no there is no maker below the swastika.
Variety A1:
2 reins, ends are back towards the saddle;
Medal 9 mm, date 13 mm;
Company appears as "Co.";
GOOD LUCK 13 mm
Variety A2:
2 reins, ends are back towards the saddle;
Medal 9 mm, date 13 mm;
Company appears as "Co.";
GOOD LUCK 13 mm;
no hole
Variety A3:
Same obverse as Type 3, Variety A1
Same reverse as Type 4, Variety A
The differences are in the clover & wishbone
from Nathan Mandrell
Variety B:
2 reins, ends are drop straight down
Medal 8.5 mm, date 12.5 mm
Company appears as "Co.";
GOOD LUCK 14 mm
Type 4.
Runic "D" symbol points down & there is no B on the canteen Right elbow points towards left hand, no stars on the horse blanket and no there is no maker below the swastika.
Variety A:
Left arm slightly upwards
Company appears as "Co.";
Variety B1:
Left arm slightly downwards;
Company appears as "Co.";
Variety B2:
Left arm slightly downwards;
Company appears as "Co.";
no hole
Type 5.
Right elbow points towards horses ear and Horse's ear points between "O" and "R". 2 full reins and Runic "D" symbol points down.
Variety A1:
Company appears as "Co.
Variety A2:
Company appears as "Co.
no hole
Type 6.
Right elbow points towards horses ear and Horse's ear points points over the "R". 2 full reins, no stars on the horse blanket and Runic "D" symbol points down.
Variety A:
Company appears as "Co."
Variety B1:
Company appears as "Co.";
Top right clover leaf is distorted
Variety B2:
Company appears as "Co.";
Top right clover leaf is distorted;
no hole
Type 7.
Flat hat on top, 3 stars on the horse blanket and 2 full reins Runic "D" symbol points down and no maker below the swastika.
Variety A:
Company appears as "Co."
(line under "o" does not touch, period)
Variety B:
Company appears as "Co"
(line under "o" does touch, no period)
Type 8
Stirrup lower on the horse's leg, no stars on horse blanket and 2 full reins Runic "D" symbol points down and no maker below the swastika.
Company appears as "Co."
Type 9.
Three reins and three stars on horse blanket
Runic "D" symbol points down and no maker below the swastika.
Only token of this type with 3 reins.
Company appears as "Co."________________________________________________________________________________
The Excelsior MEDAL Shoe For Boys.
Version 5.
This group has a horseshoe opening down with the wording BELLE MEADE SHOE CO. NASHVILLE, TENN. The obverse has a rider under the wording MEDAL without a date under the horse.
Version 5 тоже не Свастическая и тоже проигнорирована.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Huston's Scout Club
Aluminum (34 mm)
_________________________________________________________________________________
Ещё больше Свастических Бой Скаутов:
Brass
Silver
Gold
_________________________________________________________________________________