Menter Clothing on Credit Token

Menter Clothing on Credit Token Found Metal Detecting “Good as Gold” circa 1918

Found March 2, 2023 at the New/Old Perm by BHiggles • XP Deus II Metal Detector • Park Mode • Square Tones • 93 VDI • 6 inches deep

New/Old Permission

The Menter Clothing on Credit trade token was found on at the new/old permission. This permission is an old school that has been turned into the Warrick County School Administration Building in Boonville Indiana. Behind the building is a beautiful old football field with track & field remnants. This Menter Clothing on Credit token took my breath away. As soon as I saw large roundness in the hole, my heart started to pitter patter!

Of course, I rushed to the Higgles Wash Station and immediately began to clean the 100+ years of dirt to reveal the incredible and beautiful token. Soon after, knowing more was the only solution to my curiosity!

Menter Clothing on Credit Token
Menter Clothing on Credit Token

Immediately, the research begins with a quick search on Google after a quick text to a buddy showing off the newly discovered token. Something that I have never seen before. This is the 3rd rare, old, token found in just the last few weeks.

On the back side it says “Good for One Dollar on Purchase of $10 or More”. On the front it says “Clothing on Credit Menter”. “Satisfaction • Honor • Service” with a beautiful eagle. This gold gilded token is one of my most favorite token finds. This token dates back to 1918. I have included an un-dug version so you can see the token clearly. Read more Blogs.

Menter Clothing on Credit History

Menter began in Rochester as Menter & Rosenbloom in 1889. They expanded about one store a year until 1904, when they incorporated. Their Albany store appears to have opened at 21 North Pearl in 1905.

Back then it was impossible for a working man or woman to secure a loan from a legitimate lender. Menter & Rosenbloom took advantage of this by offering men’s, ladies, and children’s clothing on credit.

By 1912 they had opened 75 clothing stores, most east of the Mississippi. In that same year, co-founder Max Rosenbloom died, and the business became simply The Mentor Company. Mentor himself died the following year, but his clothing chain lived on and prospered.

In 1920, Menter moved to a new, larger store at 119 North Pearl, where it would remain for the next three decades.

In the years following the 1929 stock market crash, more than half the Menter stores closed. By 1937 only six stores remained. The Albany store downsized, moving to 63-65 South Pearl in the early 1950’s.

Its final years were at 44 South Pearl. The Albany store was the last Menter to go, closing in 1957.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanygroup/17323441820

Menter Clothing on Credit Token