Wade M. writes: I found a coin with my metal detector, that has an indian head on one side with the writing Pontiac Chief of the Sixes. The back reads Product of General Motors. Could you give me some idea where this coin was made, what was its purpose, and does it have any value?
You have an advertising token, issued by General Motors to promote its Pontiac line of automobiles. (c. mid 1950’s?). Tokens like this were a way of keeping the advertisers message at hand. They were given out freely and people used them as pocket pieces, holed them for keyrings but never threw them away.
Advertising tokens, medals and other items like this that are not official money go under the heading of “exonumia”. Collectors enjoy these pieces as they often have an interesting story. Approximate value range, depending on condition: $3- $15.
