I read with great interest the letter from Travis Roberts of Texas in the Jan. 13 issue of the Resident. Roberts is well-known in the token fraternity for his letter to small towns or local newspapers. He tells you that what you have is worthless--so you should just send it to him for free. He then gloats about his fabulous collection at minimal cost to his pocketbook. This letter has been seen all over the country for many years.
In his request for old tokens, Roberts states that they are "relatively unimportant, and that members of a family who inherit them consider them junk to thrown out." Nothing could be further from the truth.
The tokens of our Valley include many of great value: for example, we pay $50-$75 for any token from Alviso or Coyote; $200 for any piece from Smith Creek or Congress Springs; or how about $400 for a token from the Chase Ranch from San Felipe! Of course, some tokens are of little value.
We have some 50,000 tokens recorded from Santa Clara County. No one has ever reported finding a token from Willow Glen--if you have one, name your price.
A very important book on California state and local history has been written by Charles V. Kappen entitled California Tokens. Dr. Kappen was a professor of journalism at San Jose State University for 40 years.
Salvatore Falcone
Falcone Coins & Collectibles, Willow Glen
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
