Washington State Sales Tax Token Value Guide

Issued during the Great Depression, the 1935 Washington State Sales Tax Token was a fiscal innovation designed to handle fractional tax amounts on small purchases. These aluminum pieces represent a unique era in American history when states created their own currency-like tokens to facilitate exact tax payments.

What Is Washington State Sales Tax Token Worth?

The typical price range for Washington State Sales Tax Token is $20 - $20 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the aluminum, as this soft metal is prone to scratches, oxidation, and bending.
• The clarity of the stamped lettering and the preservation of the central hole's edges.
• Market demand for Depression-era exonumia and specific interest in Washington State fiscal history.
• The presence of any unique minting errors or variations in the aluminum striking process.

How to Identify Washington State Sales Tax Token?

• Look for the distinct central hole which was a standard design feature for the 1935 Washington issue.
• Confirm the material is lightweight aluminum, typical for these mid-1930s state-issued tokens.
• Check for the specific 'State of Washington' and 'Tax Token' inscriptions surrounding the center.
• Verify the 1935 date or era-appropriate typography consistent with Great Depression fiscal artifacts.

History of Washington State Sales Tax Token

During the Great Depression, several U.S. states introduced sales tax tokens to handle fractional sales tax amounts. Washington State implemented its sales tax in 1935, and these tokens were designed to facilitate exact payment of the tax, especially on small purchases. They were an innovative, albeit short-lived, solution to a complex economic problem, allowing consumers to pay sales tax without needing small change. These tokens are now collectible reminders of a specific era in American fiscal history.