Opened in 1854 with the "copper rush" in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Central Mine closed in 1898 -- 44 years of operation.   As the mine became prosperous and profitable, despite cycles in the price of copper, the need for local money arose.  The Great Lakes froze in the winter and shipping ceased.  (It still does. We don't break ice here.)  To make do, the company issued its own notes which it could redeem when exports to Boston and New  York brought national currency.

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I have wondered why these drafts from the Upper Peninsula have always had simple designs and were not complex.  BTW some of the places up there are wonderful vacation spots, I spent a summer up north of Marquette, nice cool in the summer weather for someone like me that doesn't like heat.

Here is the iron ore offloading dock in Marquette:



Looking down into Lake Superior, crystal clear water, even from 100' up a bank:

Mike,
  Do you have any of those notes?

If so,you should upload some photos onto http://www.complementarycurrency.org .

Aidan.

As with other graphics that did not pass through the system crash and rebuild, my images were lost.  I will reload the illustrations for this -- same with the Bay Bucks.  Also, I continued the research and I can add some facts.  Back soon...

Mike,
  There's a world community currencies group up on http://www.coinnetwork.com that will be of interest to you.

You can go here; http://www.coinnetwork.com/group/worldcommunitycurrencies .

Aidan.

Mike,  There's a world community currencies group ... 

Thanks!  I'll check them out.

I have wondered why these drafts from the Upper Peninsula have always had simple designs and were not complex. 

They were as complex as they needed to be for the time and place.  You know how the vignette trade worked with salesmen offering stock or custom work.  Also, of course, for a private concern, the cost of production is a factor.  For the government, that is less so.  So, public money tends to be more ornate and involved.  Security concerns also are a factor.  I mean, in Marquette in February, if you were suspected of passing counterfeit notes, where could you go? 

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Mike,
  Community currencies are going to be getting catalogued up on http://worldnumismaticphotogallery.net/gallery after it comes online,hopefully later on this week or early next week.

I reckon that catalogues of community currencies will need to be compiled,as they are legitimate numismatic items.

Aidan.

I reckon that catalogues of community currencies will need to be compiled,as they are legitimate numismatic items.

Well, if you stop and think about it, the Athenian Owl was  community currency.  These now exist as contraries to national currencies, the obligations of central banks.  Fine as those are, they are, after all, only the latest in a long long series of developments from the first coins.  I went around with Alan Herbert years ago on his definition of "coin."  I define it by the physical attributes, not by who issues it.  Herbert believe that only a "legitimate government" can issue a "coin" which leaves a world of grey areas.

Mike,
  Have you had any more news about community currencies in America?

I got sent in 5 Canadian Tire notes,including a commemorative 25 Cents,which came early last week.

Aidan.