Token 11 – G.F. Garrells – South-West Africa – 20 Trade Token, c. 1900–1930

Token 11 – G.F. Garrells – South-West Africa – 20 Trade Token, c. 1900–1930

Original metal Wertmarke (trade token) bearing the name “G.F. GARRELLS” and the denomination “20”.

The token was issued for use in connection with the business of G.F. Garrells in South-West Africa and represents the type of privately issued token currency used by trading establishments during the colonial and early South-West African period.

The simple design, with the issuer’s name and denomination, identifies it as a local commercial token rather than official government currency. Such pieces are of particular interest because they document individual businesses and the local systems of payment and credit that existed alongside official coinage.

An original and historically interesting example of private trade/token currency from South-West Africa, especially relevant to collectors of German South-West African and early South-West African exonumia.