Coal scrip token '10 Cents' by Black Diamond Coal Company, Mosboro, Alabama

This coal scrip token was issued by the Black Diamond Coal Company in Mosboro, Alabama, during the early 20th century. Coal scrip was a form of company-issued currency used in mining communities, where workers were paid in tokens redeemable only at company stores. This practice was common in isolated mining towns where the company controlled most aspects of daily life. The token features the company name, location, and denomination, with a distinctive diamond-shaped center hole for stringing. Coal scrip tokens are highly valued by numismatists, historians, and collectors of Americana for their connection to labor history and the coal mining industry. These artifacts represent an important chapter in American industrial history, documenting the economic systems that governed mining communities. Collectors of exonumia (tokens and medals), Alabama historical memorabilia, and labor history enthusiasts particularly prize these tokens for their historical significance and tangible connection to working-class heritage.