| HOME | IRISH TOKENS | Copyright © S.B.Woodside 1997-2011 Last update:- 7-Aug-11 barry.woodside@ic24.net |
| Amusement Park & modern machine | ||
| Scroll through the data or use the shortcut index below. | ||
br=brass, bz=bronze, Cu=copper, Sn=tin, Al=aluminium, Zn=zinc
"|" stands for
a line break. If this is in the outer legend, it indicates the
lettering is "upside down" with
respect to the earlier lettering
"=" indicates the following data is in the field
I have those marked with an asterisk.
Items illustrated without "*" are from rubbings, photocopies etc.
If you can supply any missing illustrations, please do so.
Unfortunately, gaming machine tokens from Northern Ireland do not seem to exist. The following laws perhaps explains why;
13. The maximum stake per game is 30p and this must be in cash; tokens may not be used (Article 108(6)).
14. The maximum value of a prize is £8 (Article 108(7)) (£10 in public houses and licensed hotels) (Article 108(8))
15. In public houses, the prize must be all in cash (Article 108(8)). In other premises, only £5 may be paid in cash; the remainder must be a non-monetary prize or tokens exchangeable for a non-monetary prize. The full prize may also comprise a non-monetary prize or tokens exchangeable for a non-monetary prize of up to £8 in value (Article 108(7)).
In practice, the gaming machine industry, with the approval of the police, has for some years operated largely all-cash prize AWPs in most locations.
The Irish Government is planning to use tokens in the voting process.
"It really is a case of using your finger instead of a pencil," a minister assured voters. The system to be implemented is called the Nedap/Powervote solution, which is made by Dutch company Nedap and has been used successfully in the German cities of Cologne and Dusseldorf. Whether these are plastic/metal or simply paper/card remains to be seen.
On polling day, voters arrive at designated voting locations where they will have their name
marked off the register in the normal way by staff. Voters will be given a token which they must take to a polling clerk who will accept the token and direct them to a Powervote machine. At the machine, voters can see pictures of the candidates on a screen with buttons next to their name and picture. Citizens vote by pressing the appropriate buttons and hitting the "cast vote" button on the machine. There will also be an option to abstain.
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Many holiday campsites have equipment which are token operated. Typical use is shown below;-
Fossa Caravan & Camping Park http://www.camping-holidaysireland.com/facilities.htm
| Campers Kitchen | Free wash-up. Hobs token operated |
| Laundry | Washing, drying, ironing (tokens) |
| Hot Showers | Token operated |
I suspect these are standard non-customised pieces, but one lives in hope.
The University of Ulster has an IT Department and their Online International Student Handbook at http://www.ulst.ac.uk/international/studyabroad/ish_essential.html contains the following;
The department provides and maintains IT laboratories throughout the University. The computer workstations in each laboratory have a Common Desktop Environment (CDE) with a core group of software applications. Subject-specific software is also available in addition to the core set of applications. A monochrome (black and white) laser printer is provided in all our IT laboratories. Printers work using a token system. The tokens can be bought from wall-mounted dispensers, which can be found at a number of positions on each campus.
Probably non-customised pieces.
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The Mount Juliet Conference Centre in Kilkenny includes a Championship Golf Course and, I think a sports complex. I saw one of their "tokens" illustrated on the www (which I've listed under Miscellaneous-Rest of Ireland) and it was said to be a golfing token. The seller couldn't say what it was used for but suggested it might have been a ball marker i.e. placed on the green when the ball is lifted for cleaning etc., however I was told that many golf courses with driving ranges sometimes use tokens to dispense a basket of balls.
A search on the www resulted in the following;-
BRADSHAWS BRAE GOLF DRIVING RANGE
Belfast Road, Newtownards, Co Down
Tel: +44 (0)1247 813484
FACILITIES: Driving range and 9 HOLES pitch and putt. Teaching by PGA professional, available 7 days per week
OPENING TIMES: Mon-Fri 9.30am-9pm; Sat-Sun 9.30am-5,30pm. During winter months hours may vary.
COSTS: 1 token: £1 (35 balls)
Pitch 'n' Putt £2 (18 holes)
Probably stock pieces are used.
Some golf ball markers are
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A collector told me about a Noraut, N. Ireland piece, and after I spotted their advertisement in the Dublin 'Gold Pages', a letter to them (and to Barrys and Phils) was rewarded by a 'joint' response with two (identical) Noraut pieces, a Barry piece, and a couple of Phil/Phills pieces.
The Eurocoin and Elton pieces (some without the Elton logo) are standard stock pieces, ie the same dies were used for other non Irish pieces.
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| *AMP1 | PHIL'S (sic) | BINGO | PORTRUSH | |
| EUROCOIN TM | large grove across the diameter | LONDON 28mm br | ||
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| *AMP2 | * PHILS (sic) * | AMUSEMENTS = PORTRUSH (or is that an apostrophe?) | |
| similar 31mm br | ||
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| *AMP3 | NO CASH VALUE | ELTON LUCKY 7 BINGO = PHILL'S | AMUSEMENTS (gold lettering) | |
| similar off-white pl | ||
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| *AMP4 | NO CASH VALUE | ELTON = PHILL'S (sic) | AMUSEMENTS (gold lettering, on raised centre) | |
| similar yellow pl | ||
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| *AMP5 | as above, but ELTON removed | |
| "Thousands" of each type of Phil/Phill tokens were made - for redeeming for gifts and prizes. | ||
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| *AMB1 | *** BARRY'S *** | PORT RUSH = ferris wheel | |
| *** BARRY'S *** | PORT RUSH = a large A 30mm br | ||
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| *AMB2 | ** BARRY'S ** | PORT RUSH = ferris wheel | |
| ** BARRY'S ** | PORT RUSH = a large B 25mm br | ||
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| *AMB3 | * BARRY'S * | PORT RUSH = ferris wheel | |
| * BARRY'S * | PORT RUSH = a large C 22mm br | ||
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| *AMB4 | *** BARRY'S *** | PORT RUSH = ferris wheel | |
| *** BARRY'S *** | PORT RUSH = a large C 27mm plated | ||
| Note that Portrush is shown on the token as two words. Note these are from Portrush, although this is shown as two words on the tokens! Four thousand Barry's tokens were made - although it wasn't clear whether this was each type or total. They were for payment for rides in Barry's and were made at The Mint, Birmingham. (all c1990's) I've been told that they have now changed the design. | ||
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| *AMD1 | DAWSONS AMUSEMENTS | *BRAY* = scene in indent - cross on mountain BRAY | HEAD below | |
| similar 39mm yellow plastic - used on the Ghost Train Aug. 1994 | ||
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| *AMD2 | O: & R: as above but orange plastic | |
| - used on the Waltzer Aug. 1994. | ||
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| *AMD3 | O: & R: as above but blue plastic | |
| - used on the Bouncy Castle Aug. 1994. | ||
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| *AMD4: | EUROBALL | *** | * a hole * | 1 | POINT all within a gold circle | |
| same - gold lettering on 30mm red plastic Prize for Football Shooting. In use May 1993. | ||
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| *AMD5 | NO CASH VALUE | ELTON = raised centre no inscription | |
| similar blue pl | ||
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| *AMD6 | as above, but ELTON removed, also in blue plastic | |
| as above - the last 2 anonymous pieces in use (May '93) at Dawsons, prizes for various games. | ||
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| *AMN1 | NORAUT LTD. | a large shamrock | N.IRELAND | |
| ~NO~ | CASH | VALUE | ~.~ (all in a toothed border) 23mm br | ||
| Noraut Ltd (8a Market St, Omagh, Co Tyrone) stated that they issued just the one type, which was used as a machine payout token, mainly at exhibitions and that one thousand were struck. They were used for 3-4 years in the 1990s. The reverse design appears to have been used for other (non-Irish) tokens, eg for ice at Holiday Inn, Fort Walton Beach, Florida in April 1994 (br 25mm pl edge) TCSB. And on a Miami ice token. | ||
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| *AMC1 | ===DE CLEYN=== | ..1 PUNT.. (around central hole) | MERRY | GO ROUND all within a gold circle | |
| similar - gold lettering on purple pl 31mm | ||
| Presumably Irish because of the value - but see Dorenberg below! | ||
| - | ? | |
| ? | ||
| I saw a TV report from Newcastle Co. Down c.1997 and behind the interviewer was a fairground with a sign "Tokens only accepted" or something similar. It might have been a travelling fair. If anyone has any further details about pieces used in Newcastle or any other Irish travelling fairs, please send details. | ||
 not Irish!
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| AMJ1 | J. DÖRENBERG | * JACKPOT * 1 PUNT * = slot machine cartoon character | |
| same 23mm cupro-nickel | ||
| Presumably from Ireland because of the value, but note two dots above the "O". (or Börenberg?) "1 PUNT" is also found on the De Cleyn Merry Go Round token above. Perhaps it was for the hire of a punt on a river somewhere! Punt is also slang for a gamble or bet, so perhaps this was just for one bet. Could be from anywhere! I have been informed this is from Holland! 1 PUNT means one point! | ||
| AMF1 | Harry Levy showboat (a machine token) | |
| Freddie's Tramore | ||
| AMF2 | No Cash Value (Elton Lucky Bingo), also Freddies but no town. black plastic | |
| AMF3 | 1 WIN gilt on black (amusement award) | |
| Freddie's | ||
| I think Harry Levy showboat is a stock check used by others
eg First Leisure / Harry Levy Showboat 31mm brass H150A also seen. I'm not sure if I have interpreted Bryan Hennem's email correctly on the first 2 pieces. The last might be a different description of the second! An amusement park in Tramore (11km south of Waterford City) claims to be the largest in Ireland - 50 acres. | ||
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| - | COURTOWN HARBOUR | GOLD COAST = yachts sailing | |
| FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT ->><<- = ~NO~ | CASH | VALUE | ~.~ | ||
| A Wexford token. Possibly tiny maker's initials at bottom of rev. | ||
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| *AMW1 | H&W | BUNDORAN | PLEASURE PARKS | |
| blank | ||
| A Co Donegal token. | ||
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| AMR1 | LEISURELAND * * * | |
| * * * REDCASTLE * * * | ||
| 25mm brass plain edge. A Co. Donegal token - about 15 miles NW from Londonderry City. | ||
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| AMF1 | (Perks Leisureland Funworld?) | |
| a merry-go-round horse | ||
| A Co. Galway token. They have a website. | ||
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| - | ONBOARD 0.25p LEISURE | |
| brown plastic with 3 orange triangles decoration | ||
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| - | ONBOARD 0.50p LEISURE | |
| red plastic with 3 blue triangles decoration | ||
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| - | ONBOARD £1 LEISURE | |
| light blue plastic with 3 dark blue double triangles decoration | ||
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| - | ONBOARD £5 LEISURE | |
| red plastic with 3 yellow double triangles decoration | ||
Casino Chip from the "Isle of Inishmore Ferry". The Isle of Inishmore is one of 3 ferries that is operated by the Irish Ferries Company travelling between Wales and Ireland. The Isle of Inishmore sails between Pembroke, Wales and Rosslare, Ireland. It has only two Blackjack tables. (Note: the £1 Chip is pictured in Smith & Long's "Cruise Ships and their Casino Chips".) The history of the ship is on the www;- Leinster (1981-1993)I assume these tokens were used on the new Isle of Inishmore, sometime between 1996 and the introduction of the Euro. | ||
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| - | THE 78 CLUB c50 IRELAND purple, yellow and grey plastic | |
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| - | THE 78 CLUB €1 IRELAND white, green and grey plastic | |
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| - | THE 78 CLUB €5 IRELAND red, blue and grey plastic | |
| The 78 Club is a members only Club in Dublin, Ireland. It opened in 1991. | ||
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| - | CLAUDE'S CASINO | GALWAY BAY = £1 red plastic metallic lettering | |
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| - | CLAUDE'S CASINO | GALWAY BAY = £2 red plastic | |
| Claude's Casino, 230 Upper Salthill, Galway, Ireland is advertised as a good rainy day entertainment venue for all the family, with simulated rally racing and arcade games also on offer and boasts Galway's only roulette table for the committed gambler. | ||
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| - | FITZWILLIAM | CARD CLUB = 50c | |
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| - | FITZWILLIAM | CARD CLUB = €1 Not sure if the second is the reverse or a different variety. | |
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| - | FITZWILLIAM | CARD CLUB = €5 | |
| Casino Chips from the Fitzwilliam Card Club in Dublin City. | ||
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| - | dublinbet.com €100 www.DublinBet.com | |
| Probably c.2008 | ||
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| - | CLUB OASIS | 2,5 | € | |
| Casino Chip from Dublin City. Curiously using a comma for a dp! | ||
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| - | COLOSSUS | CASINO CLUB = 1€ | |
| ornate border = ornate C | ||
| Casino Chip from Dublin City. | ||
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| - | THE MERRION | CLUB = £5 | |
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| Casino Chip from Dublin City. | ||
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| - | THE ADELAIDE CARD CLUB = a 4-leaf shamrock 1 (€) | |
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| - | THE ADELAIDE CARD CLUB = a 4-leaf shamrock 5 (€) | |
| Casino chips from Sligo. | ||
Many amusement related tokens are unidentifiable because they often do not have their location stated.
The following might be of some help. Only two in this list are known to have issued tokens.
Most of the above are NOT listed, so the list is hardly complete.
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A.S.Amusements Ltd Malahide Atari Expo Tallaght Automatic Amusements Ltd Dorset St Casino Amusements Co Ltd Skerries Caulwell Castles Ltd Dublin Pool & Juke Box Co Ltd Duggan Thos Geraghty Playground Equipment J.H.S. Associates Ltd, Newtonabbey, Co Antrim Jumping Jacks Bouncing Castles Ltd Kimble Manufacturing Dundalk | Lawrence Stan Greystones Leisure Trade Services McFadden Edward Swords H.J.McFadden Mikes Brain Busters Monte Carlo Dorset St M U D S Bray New Funplace Noraut Ltd Omagh Superleague (Ire) Ltd Talbot Amusements | Casino Amusements Cherries Amusements Danny's Poolhall Dawsons Amusements Bray Dorset Leisure Centre Fun Palace Esplanade Bray Funland Jason's of Ranelagh Liberty Fair Pierrot Snooker Club Star Amusements Bray |
Known token issuers in red.
end of data
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This is here to avoid having to open a new window
USA token, similar reverse to Noraut above
I have seen many tokens with a similar reverse on the www.