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In the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...
, a wooden nickel is a wooden
token coin In numismatics, token coins or trade tokens are coin-like objects used instead of coins. The field of token coins is part of exonumia and token coins are token money. Their denomination is shown or implied by size, color or shape. They are oft ...
, usually issued by a merchant or bank as a promotion, sometimes redeemable for a specific item such as a drink.
Scrip A scrip (or '' chit'' in India) is any substitute for legal tender. It is often a form of credit. Scrips have been created and used for a variety of reasons, including exploitive payment of employees under truck systems; or for use in local comm ...
and tokens have often been issued locally in times of severe economic distress such as financial crises and the Civil War. During the
Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The Financial contagion, ...
, after the failure of the Citizens Bank of Tenino in
Tenino, Washington Tenino () is a city in Thurston County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,870 at the 2020 census. Incorporated in 1906, the city sits upon land first established as a food-source prairie for Native Americans living in the area. T ...
, the local Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the local newspaper to issue scrip equivalent to 25% of people's bank deposits that could be spent at local merchants.
Blaine, Washington Blaine is a city in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. The city's northern boundary is the Canada–U.S. border; the Peace Arch international monument straddles the border of both countries. The population was 5,884 at the 2020 census ...
, soon did the same with both flat scrip and, in response to requests generated by news and word of mouth, coins that included a 5-cent piece. The Chicago World's Fair in 1933 issued wooden nickels as souvenirs, and the tradition of wooden nickels as tokens and souvenirs continues to the present day. In a 21st century twist to Tenino, Washington’s Depression-era use of paper and wooden scrip to aid its citizens, that community is once again issuing wooden scrip to help its citizens and local merchants via its
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
Grant Recovery programme.Now Accepting COVID-19 Recovery Grant Applications!!
City of Tenino Washington, n.d. ''(Retrieved 2020-03-01.)''
Upon successful grant application, the grantee can spend the wooden scrip at participating shops in the town. Alternatively, the recipient can use the scrip, or equivalent credit, towards their municipal utility bills. An American
adage An adage (; Latin: adagium) is a memorable and usually philosophical aphorism that communicates an important truth derived from experience, custom, or both, and that many people consider true and credible because of its longeval tradition, i.e ...
, "Don't take any wooden nickels", is considered a lighthearted reminder to be cautious in one's dealings. This adage precedes the use of wooden nickels as a replacement currency, suggesting that its origins lie not in the genuine monetary value of nickels, but rather in their purely commemorative nature.


See also

* Sales tax token * Slug (coin)


References

Exonumia Great Depression in the United States Token coins {{coin-stub