USA Masonic Chapter Penny Token – Fairview No. 161 R.A.M. Chicago – 1874

Main Description:

This vintage Masonic penny token was issued by Fairview Chapter No. 161, Royal Arch Masons (R.A.M.), based in Chicago, Illinois. As catalogued in Wright, Masonic Chapter Pennies, entry No. 90, this token was struck in copper and features symbolic fraternal imagery unique to this chapter. It is dated with the chapter’s official charter: October 29, 1874.

The reverse displays a large bunch of grapes within a circular border, with the legend “CHARTERED OCT. 29, 1874” above and “ONE PENNY” in the exergue. The obverse shows a keystone design with a chisel to the right and a mallet to the left. Surrounding the design is the legend: “FAIRVIEW CHAPTER No. 161, R.A.M. — CHICAGO, ILL.”

This token is part of the historical fraternal exonumia series known as “Chapter Pennies,” issued by R.A.M. chapters across the U.S. in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These were not legal tender but served ceremonial and symbolic purposes within Masonic ritual.

Specifications:

• KM#/Pick#: —
• Country/Period: United States – Fraternal (Royal Arch Masons)
• Ruler: —
• Denomination: ONE PENNY (ceremonial token)
• Year/Date: 1874 (Charter date: October 29, 1874)
• Mint: —
• Composition: Copper (confirmed per Wright)
• Weight: — 
• Diameter: Approx. 31 mm (Catalog size 20)
• Thickness: —
• Edge: —
• Shape: Round
• Alignment: —
• Mintage/Print run: Mintage not confirmed.

Condition:

Circulated condition with visible oxidation, brown toning, and pitting. Obverse and reverse legends remain fully legible. Keystone and grape cluster designs retain partial detail. No major edge damage.

מצב: מטבע סחיר עם שחיקה נראית לעין, בהתאם לגיל.

Shipping:

Ships protected in a coin flip and padded mailer. 30-day returns.

Welcome to Treasure Trades — where every piece tells a story in metal.

Add this catalogued 1874 Masonic token to your collection today — Wright #90.

Why Buy:

• Verified 1874 issue from Chicago’s Fairview Chapter No. 161 R.A.M.

• Catalogued in Wright, Masonic Chapter Pennies, entry No. 90

• Attractive symbolic imagery: keystone, tools, grapes

• Part of historic U.S. Masonic exonumia tradition

• Copper token with strong period detail and visible legends

• Collectible ceremonial token with fraternal significance

Sources & Citations:

Sources:
• Wright, Masonic Chapter Pennies — Entry No. 90 (Chicago Chapter No. 161)
• Tokencatalog.com (entry excerpted via Wright reference) — accessed Nov 25, 2025
• Numista — no matching entry located
• eBay — comparable tokens for Fairview Chapter 161 R.A.M. Chicago

Mintage not confirmed in available references (Wright, eBay, Numista).