Colorado Sales Tax Token Value Guide

The Colorado Sales Tax Token is a fascinating relic of the Great Depression, issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue to facilitate the state's 2% sales tax. These aluminum pieces allowed consumers to pay fractional cent amounts on small purchases when traditional currency was too high in value.

What Is Colorado Sales Tax Token Worth?

The typical price range for Colorado Sales Tax Token is $2 - $2 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Surface condition and the presence of original luster significantly impact the $1.50 to $2.00 valuation.
• Legibility of the stamped text and the absence of corrosion or pitting on the aluminum surface.
• The presence of any unique minting errors or variations in the central hole punch.
• Overall market demand for Great Depression-era numismatic items and state-specific tax memorabilia.

How to Identify Colorado Sales Tax Token?

• Look for the distinct central hole which was a standard design feature for these aluminum issues.
• Verify the material is lightweight aluminum, typical for the 1935 to 1945 production era.
• Check for the official 'Colorado Department of Revenue' inscription around the rim of the token.
• Confirm the size is consistent with standard state-issued fractional tax tokens of the mid-20th century.

History of Colorado Sales Tax Token

During the Great Depression, several U.S. states, including Colorado, issued tax tokens to allow consumers to pay sales tax on small purchases that amounted to fractions of a cent. This specific token was issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue to facilitate the collection of the state's 2% sales tax, which was enacted in 1935. These tokens were eventually phased out as inflation rendered fractional currency unnecessary.