Deidra E. writes: Hello, My question unfortunately doesn’t have to do with currency coin, it has to do with Mardi Gras coins. Many moons ago I was left a very large and immaculately kept set of Mardi Gras coins dating from 1966 to 1974. Knowing that these coins are tossed off of the floats, I don’t expect them to be worth a fortune but I know many Mardi Gras fans who marvel at my collection. My question being is there a buyers market out there and if so could I directed that way please. Curiously waiting, DeidraÂ
Mardi Gras tokens are thrown from the floats that appear in each year’s Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. Groups of volunteers work all year on their float (The Krewe). In past years some “Krewe” had their tokens minted in silver for the benefit of the members of the “Krewe”.
The aluminum tokens are fun and interesting and there are collectors that try to complete sets by year. Token collecting goes under the heading of Exonumia. Years ago I purchased a collection of silver versions of many years of the Mardi Gras tokens. There was a catalog of these tokens published privately in Louisiana but I’ve since lost contact with the author.
Don’t think of this collection as being worthless. Imagine trying to put together a collection like you have today. The tokens were “disposable” and generally few were saved. Value range for the aluminum pieces: $1 -$20. Value range for the limited edition silver tokens: $20-$50.
