$1 Coal Mine Scrip

The Princess Dorothy Coal Company of Eunice, West Virginia (Raleigh County) issued unique red fiber trade tokens (coal scrip) in place of official U.S. currency. Key Details of Princess Dorothy Fiber Scrip • Material & Construction: Unlike the more common brass, aluminum, or copper coins used in many Appalachian mining towns, these pieces were manufactured from a distinctive red fiber material (often associated with Orco scrip). • Size: They typically measure around 32mm (1 1/4 inches) in diameter, roughly the size of a U.S. half dollar. • Denominations: Issued in various values for use at the company store, ranging from small fractional denominations like 1 cent up to $1.00. • Historical Context: Miners received scrip as an advance on wages or in lieu of cash, which could only be spent at the company-owned store. This practice tied workers closely to the company town before the scrip system was phased out and federally regulated.