Pirates Of The Caribbean
Piece of Eight Pirate Key Chain!
Available at the Pieces of Eight Shop
during the first years
the Pirates'
stamper coin machine was onstage.
Note: Chain beads feature flat sides.
Because Disneyland Piece of Eight coins
were "silver" the chain was also "silver".
Card copyright reads "© 1968 Walt Disney Productions" |
WDW Pirates Of The Caribbean
Piece of Eight Pirate Key Chain!
Available at Walt Disney World.
This example, courtesy of C. Neal,
was originally sold by WDW circa 1975.
Note: Chain beads feature flat sides.
Because early WDW Piece of Eight coins
were "gold" the chain was also "gold".
Card copyright reads "© Walt Disney Productions" |
Although Disney metal typer souvenirs are not elongated coins, they are sort of related and lots of us "pressed penny collectors"have asked about them. Matter of fact, many people searching Google for information about Disneyland metal stamper machines found ParkPennies.com, poor souls. So, here are the bits of history we have been able to gather and... we are looking for more so please don't be shy about contacting us.
The Pirates of the Caribbean piece of eight stamper souvenir coin medallions, often called medal stamper machine coins, "doubloons", "Cobs" or metal typer tokens have been favorites of many Disney guests over the years. Not every Disneyland or WDW guest knew of the machines, but, those that did press these coins, often did so over many years. Matter of fact, stamping a personal message to commemorate a special event or thought to a loved one on metal disk or a 1692 replica piece of eight coin has been a long time tradition for many Disneyland Guests. When at the park, some guests made a ritual of visiting the Pieces of Eight Shop in New Orleans Square to press a "Pirate Coin" or visiting the Corner Cafe (Coke Corner) on Main Street to type out the date of their visit, a birthday greeting, their wedding anniversary year, or some mushy-kissy-lovey note on a Disneyland metal typer disk.
The ParkPennies.com history of Disneyland Pirates of the Caribbean metal stamper coins is not complete yet and undoubtedly in need of corrections. However, based on reports by a trusted ParkPennies operative or two close to the start of the POC project, circa mid to late 1960's... We believe that the Pirate coin stamper machine concept was originally designed by the famous Sam McKim! According to the recollection of our nervously sweating source, blinded by strong lights at the time, Mr. McKim envisioned the Piece of Eight Arcade which was to be placed at the exit to the Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction and planned the Piece of Eight stamper as one of the themed arcade attractions to be placed in the arcade. Also, according to this same stressed recollection, at Mr. Mc Kim's instruction, the piece of eight "cob coins" were to be silver-colored "Pieces of Eight" for California (Disneyland) and gold-colored "Doubloons" for Florida (Walt Disney World). The plan was followed and at first WDW offered brass cobs before switching to silver and Disneyland was from the start assigned silver-colored blanks. However, about two dozen of the gold-colored / brass coin blanks were cast in error using the "Disneyland" mold and delivered to Disneyland and found inside the Disneyland machine, according to this source. These cob's made of brass in error were caught before being placed onstage or made available to the general public. However, some examples of these brass cobs may have been kept as souvenirs by Cast Members close to the project, possibly given to friends, family, etc. and later found their way to others. Additionally, we have received correspondence from one avid collector that said his Disneyland brass doubloon was given to him as a gift by a Cast Member that assisted in the renovation of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and found the brass coin loose and displaced within one of the sets. (Examples of the Disneyland and WDW "Gold Doubloons" and "Silver Pieces of Eight" are pictured above.)
Over the following years, the Disneyland Pieces of Eight Arcade became the Disneyland Pieces of Eight Gift Shop. Most of the arcade games, e.g. pin ball machines and some other furnishings were sold or gifted to Cast Members. Other games were moved to new locations. Just a few of the themed games stayed in the new gift shop. "The Pirate Coin Stamper" was kept for a time and then was on and off stage as repairs and refurbishments were made. At times ParkPennies.com visitors asked us what became of the machine. We told them "When it’s back we’ll happily post the news". Over the years from the late 1990's to the early 2000's, we were happy to report it was back... several times, although only briefly each time. By 2006, the machine found its way to a shop not far from the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which was called "Le Bat En Rouge Shop"at the time, and then it disappeared again.
Now, the Pirate metal stamper machine has been off stage for nearly four years. But we have not given up hope. Over the years, I have spoken with Disney Cast Members on several occasions about the "Pirate Stamper". I have been told that the highly modified Standard Harvard Metal Typer machine is appreciated, but, temperamental. It was modified to press these heavy custom medallions by Disney many years ago and
over the years, the normal (extreme) Disneyland wear and tear have taken their toll. However, two Cast Members, one retired, told me that it was their kraft's hope and a goal to strengthen the machine and return it to "stage".
I too hope this machine returns home soon. In 2010, I heard that some Disneyland Cast Members, close to this machine, still hold hope that extensive repairs can be made and that the coin stamper might return one day. So, do check for the machine now and then and let us know if you spot the Pirates Piece of Eight coin stamper or the metal typer machine at the Coke Corner Cafe on Main Street USA; we'll do the same.
Odd notes added now and then: In around 2001, I visited a metal reclamation center in Canyon Country, California. They had contracted to clear water features of "coins" for a few Southern California theme parks over the previous years. I hoped to find some "pressed pennies" from the late 1980's. A co-conspirator and I sorted through hundreds of pounds of elongated, foreign and US coinage as well as many pirate medallions over a day's time. Many of the stamper pirate medallions had inscriptions, memorials, funny quips. They all seemed to have made memories, or granted wishes. None were brass.
2010 We didn't think we would ever obtain a scan of the brass Disneyland Doubloon, much less the actual coin to prove its existence... Until, on 6/2010 - A Disneyland brass Cob or Piece of Eight stamper coin was offered for auction on eBay! The auction description read: " You are bidding on a "SUPER RARE, BRASS" PIRATES of the CARIBBEAN ATTRACTION SOUVENIR COIN from DISNEYLAND. Replica "Cob" PIECE OF EIGHT Sold only to guests at theme park attraction gift shops. No longer in production or sold to public! RARE PIRATES COLLECTIBLE ! Detailed SOLID BRASS coin Measures 1 3/8 Dia .x 3/32 thick with DISNEYLAND attraction stamp on the back side of coin. Photo is of the coin for this auction! Stainless steel coin is not for sale in this auction, shown only as a comparison to the original pirates attraction coin.Bid now on this REAR TREASURE! Winning bidder pays for shipping. I will accept Paypal payments. Payment must arrive within 7 days of auction close. Thank you for your bid! " An image of that coin is above. If you have any types of variations of "Pirate Stamper Coins" that are not shown, please contact us. |
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