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Posted 05/13/2026 02:34 am
I would be very keen to see a Wahlen token in hand. The enamel seems a rather unnecessary embellishment considering the remoteness of the Hermit Group. I do wonder to what extent this artistic element was appreciated by residents at the time.
As far as I know, the last time one these tokens appeared at auction was in 2011. This was the Status International sale 282 that @Islands_Gamer provided a link to showing the 990 specimen. It is also the only source of a colour photo - this photo being reproduced in Leipner's book on tokens of the German colonies.
Two other specimens are illustrated with black and white photos. Spink Australia sale 34 (Oct 1990) illustrates an 879 specimen and the Australian Coin Review issue 374 (Sept 1995) illustrates a 196 specimen.
There is also mention of a fourth specimen, but no photos. As @Sap stated, seems it was found on the island after Wahlen's departure.
TL;DR: Four examples of the Wahlen token are known to have survived into the latter half of the twentieth century. One imaged in colour; two others in black and white; one not illustrated. Would be grateful to hear if any other examples are known!
As far as I know, the last time one these tokens appeared at auction was in 2011. This was the Status International sale 282 that @Islands_Gamer provided a link to showing the 990 specimen. It is also the only source of a colour photo - this photo being reproduced in Leipner's book on tokens of the German colonies.
Two other specimens are illustrated with black and white photos. Spink Australia sale 34 (Oct 1990) illustrates an 879 specimen and the Australian Coin Review issue 374 (Sept 1995) illustrates a 196 specimen.
There is also mention of a fourth specimen, but no photos. As @Sap stated, seems it was found on the island after Wahlen's departure.
TL;DR: Four examples of the Wahlen token are known to have survived into the latter half of the twentieth century. One imaged in colour; two others in black and white; one not illustrated. Would be grateful to hear if any other examples are known!
