Exonumia

Exonumia are numismatic items (such as tokens, medals, or scrip) other than coins and paper money.

Besides the above strict definition, others extend it to include non-coins which may or may not be legal tenders such as cheques, credit cards and similar paper.

Many tokens were produced and used as currency in the United States and elsewhere when there was a shortage of government-issued money.

They may be awarded for recognition of achievement or created for sale to commemorate individuals or events.

Exonumists may collect items by region, topic, type, shape or material and this affects the ways tokens are documented.

Modified/augmented: Play money / fantasy / counterfeit / art Government services & non-national tools to facilitate commerce Transportation tokens Closed community / membership By material / shapes Movements and ideals Of a personal nature – personals By issuer Medals Modern items under the exonumia umbrella include: There are many types of Chinese exonumia, including alternative currencies: and numismatic charms: Notgeld, primarily in the form of paper banknotes, was issued in Germany and Austria during World War I and the interwar period by towns, banks and other institutions due to a shortage of money.

Latin American coffee or plantation tokens were an important part of commerce.

[citation needed] Tokens were made in all types of base metals and alloys plus plastic, celluloid and bakelite.