Denver, Colorado. Colorado Telephone Company. 1890 15 Cents. PMG Very Fine 30.No. 11627. The "7" in the serial number is decidedly higher than the others. Printed on white paper. No imprint. Dated January 1, 1890. 15 CENTS in top corners and in large counter at left. Company monogram at right. Large red 15 at center. Ornate printed back with 15 at center. Signed by the General Manager Edward Bell Field at lower right. "This is not intended to be used as money" at top on the face placed there specifically to comply with federal law. The obligation states that "The Colorado Telephone Company agrees to furnish the bearer the use of any Toll Lines…..Telephone rental cannot be paid with this scrip and it will not be cashed by the Company, but is only good for talks over Toll Lines as stated." The Colorado Telephone Company was formed in 1881 through the consolidation of several smaller Colorado phone companies. An interesting early Colorado scrip issue and one that is rarely seen. We formerly graded this note Choice Very Fine and PMG agrees. This note realized $1,410 in our 2017 ANA sale.
