1961-1962 Shirriff/Salada Hockey Coins Complete Set (120)

Sold For:

$390

Year:

1961

Auction:

2023 Summer

Lot #:

2608

Category:

Featured

Superb complete set of 120 Shirriff/Salada Hockey Coins. This extremely attractive full-color coin set was issued one plastic-with-paper-insert coin per package with Salada Tea and Shirriff Pudding mix. All the major stars of the era are included, and twenty players per team (Black Hawks, Bruins, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Rangers, and Red Wings) are represented. The coins, which all have bright colors and crisp images, range in condition from Vg-Ex to Nr/Mt (averaging Ex/Ex-Mt), with 5% lesser. Some of the coins show creases to the paper portion but still present well. The #7 Johnny Bucyk paper disc is missing its original plastic coin, with a coin from the 1961 Jell-O "Airplanes" series standing in replacement. Salada coins are one of the more interesting choices of premiums ever devised to help generate sales of a product. We understand the issuing of these coins with desserts, but when you get right down to it, it's just hard to imagine what Salada was thinking when it issued these with tea. Even in the early 1960s, few youngsters were drinking tea, and even those who did have an occasional cup could not possibly be expected to drink enough to actually collect this set, issued one coin per box. But this is part of the charm of the set, and the unique designs, great players, and unmistakable early 1960s flavor of the set make this issue a classic of the era. Total: 120 coins. Opening Bid $200.