Contention City AZ - B.M. Maldonado

November 2024

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I. O. F. with moose head above banner counterstamped: B.M. MALDONADO - CONTENTION. - A.T. - 1904.; Rx: blank. Unlisted in Spooner. Even though Contention City is well known as a famous and contentious place on the San Pedro River, the location is not listed in Spooner and may mean this is the only token where Contention City is specifically mentioned. This also appears to be a general production token that was holed and then the inscription counterstamped later to avoid the hole. A.T., of course, stands for Arizona Territory with the date of 1904. It almost appears to be a type of I.D. tag. More research needs to be done, probably unique.
Contention City was 3 miles north of Fairbank, both were closely associated with Tombstone area mining operations. A U.S. Post office was established there in April of 1880 but discontinued in Nov. 1888. Concerning 'I.O.F.' it's possible this refers to the International Order of Foresters, a "Friendly Society" dedicated to the care of the sick. It's American branch became independent of the British (& Canadian) root organization in 1874.