Tokens are the playing pieces used in the Monopoly board game. They differ depending on the edition and the year of release of an edition. Standard editions, however different they are, usually use pewter tokens. In 1998, a new piece was voted on to be added to the existing 10 ( 11 in gold sets) The winner was a sack of money, which appeared in most standard editions until its retirement in 2007.
Materials & History[]
[1][2]"Monopoly" playing pieces, often referred to as tokens, date from 1935 when Parker Brothers bought the game rights. Prior to this, no playing pieces were supplied with the game. Players used familiar objects such as buttons and charms for tokens. Shortages of raw materials during the war years failed to disrupt "Monopoly" production, but components, including playing pieces, were replaced with lower quality alternatives. The originals being a cannon, thimble, top hat, iron, battleship, and boot. Later in 1935, the race car purse was added to the 7 token sets and then in about the middle of 1935, the purse was added to 8 token sets. In late 1935 and early 1936, the lantern and rocking horse were added to 10 token sets, these pieces are especially hard to find nowadays.
Early Pieces[]
The first pieces, from 1935 to about 1938, were made by the Dowst Manufacturing Company, makers of "Tootsietoys." These were die-casts from Zamak, a zinc alloy also known as white metal, monkey metal, pot metal, or die-cast zinc. Impurities in the manufacturing process caused some of them to oxidize and turn black. Later non-tarnishing tokens were made of lead and tin. These non-tarnishing playing pieces appeared in sets licensed by Parker Brothers throughout the world, although some prewar Canadian sets included generic turned wood pawns of various shapes.
War-time Playing Pieces[]
The metal was needed for the war effort, so wood pawns were used for most "Monopoly" pieces during that time. A few games had composite playing pieces made of compressed paper and sawdust. These playing pieces were fragile, and since not many were produced they became collector's items. In the United Kingdom, some sets used wood pawns from the game "64 Milestones" as tokens, but the majority were cardboard cut-outs slotted into black wooden bases.
Immediate Post-war Pieces[]
Dowst focused on die-cast toys after the war, so Parker Brothers produced its own pewter playing pieces based on the Dowst originals. In 1948, the United Kingdom sets used cardboard cut-outs in colored bases. In 1953, these were replaced by tokens cut from sheet metal, which were fitted with metal stands. These were the standard pieces until the 1960s when the pewter tokens replaced them. Some of these tokens from the 1940s being a car with driver ( counterpart to the race car ) howitzer ( counterpart to the cannon ), airplane, as well as the dog, horse, and rider, and wheelbarrow, but these tokens were officially added in the 1950s. Some of these can be seen in the photo above. A picture of the cannon can be seen at the top of the page.
Special Playing Pieces[]
While standard Hasbro Monopoly sets throughout the world contain the traditional pewter tokens, specially commissioned and commemorative sets have used a variety of materials for playing pieces. "Franklin Mint" sets have 22-karat gold plated playing pieces while the 75th Anniversary "Revolution" edition has plastic tokens depicting outlines of the original Dowst pieces. Sidney Mobell's £1.3 million "Monopoly" set has 18-karat solid yellow gold.
In the 1940s the counterpart tokens ( the car with driver and howitzer) were made These pieces were similar to the race car and the cannon. The car with driver appeared in all sets in the 1940s but was removed in 1950 when the race car was added back. However, the token has a very interesting story, in 1935, 1937, and 1938 a few special sets were made with special tokens pictured further up. However, you may have noticed one was a car with a driver after 1938 these tokens were never seen again except for the car with a driver that survived and became a member of the monopoly family. Recently the piece along with the airplane has been getting more recognition as tokens. That being said, many still consider the howitzer and cannon the same though the cannon looks like it was from the civil war and the howitzer looks modern. Like it or not, however, the car with driver lost its counterpart battle, but the howitzer won its. Sets with the car with drivers are very easy to find if you are looking to acquire this shorter-lived piece.
Standard Edition[]
Current tokens[]
- Battleship (1935)
- Race Car (1935)
- Top Hat (1935)
- Scottish Terrier (1950)
- Cat (2013)
- Penguin (2017)
- Rubber Ducky (2017)
- Thimble (2022; Reworked Version)
Retired Tokens[]
- Cannon (1935-1946)
- Lantern (1935-1950)
- Purse (1935-1950)
- Rocking Horse (1935-1950)
- Iron (1935-2013)
- Boot (1935-2017)
- Thimble (1935-2017; Original Version)
- Car With Driver (1940-1950; Likely replaced with or reworked into Race Car)
- Wheelbarrow (1940-2017)
- Airplane (1946-1950)
- Howitzer (1946-2007)
- Horse & Rider (1950-2007)
- Train (1980-2007)
- Sack of Money (1998-2007)
- T-Rex (2017-2022)
80th Anniversary Edition[]
The tokens in this anniversary edition are made of brass.
Here are the tokens with their first appearance for each decade:
- 1930s: Lantern
- 1940s: Bathtub
- 1950s: Cannon with wheels
- 1960s: Horse & Rider
- 1970s: Pillar with a Racecar on top
- 1980s: Train
- 1990s: Sack of Money
- 2000s: Hazel the Cat
85th Anniversary Edition[]
The tokens in this anniversary edition are gold-colored.
- Racecar (like in NASCAR)
- Sunglasses
- Yacht (Big Boat)
- Bowtie
- Jet (Passenger)
- Helicopter
- Wristwatch (Jewelry)
- Top Hat
Monopoly: Electronic Banking Edition[]
- Current Tokens: 6
- They are:
- A Space Shuttle
- A Flat Screen TV
- A Segway
- A Baseball Cap
- An Altoids Case
- A Dog in a Handbag
Monopoly: Ultimate Banking Edition[]
There are 4 plastic tokens with their corresponding bank cards.
- Red Car
- Green Helicopter
- Blue Boat
- White Jet
Monopoly: Super Electronic Banking Edition[]
There are 4 plastic tokens with their corresponding bank cards (and reference cards).
- Yellow Car - World Traveler
- Blue Plane - Frequent Flyer
- Gray/White Safe - Super Saver
- Red Shopping Bag - Big Spender
.com Edition[]
- A computer (Monitor and Tower)
- A computer with the Internet
- A computer monitor (Alone)
- An e-mail (Hand holding envelope)
- A mouse (The animal)
- A 3D, pixelated 3D hand (Computer selector)
- Monopoly Man on the computer
- A bug (A virus)
- And a surfboard (symbolizing surfing the net)
America's National Parks Edition[]
- A camera, representing tourism
- A hiking shoe, representing day walks and night walks
- A mountain bicycle, representing cycling
- A tent, representing camping
- A canoe, representing canoe-paddling
- A fishing reel, representing fishing
Australia Post[]
- Aeroplane
- Express Post Van
- Australia Post Truck
- Postie Push Bike
- Posting Box
- PMG Ford Model T
Monopoly: Cheaters Edition[]
- A cat burglar
- A getaway car
- A business penguin
- A dog burying his taxes
- A top hat with money
- A t-rex with a robot arm
Monopoly Builder[]
The 4 tokens in this edition has the affiliated colors and resources to build buildings. They are the construction workers for Mr. Monopoly to build on Monopoly Island.
- T-Rex (with a jackhammer)
- Green
- Excavator
- Hazel the Cat (with a lot of tools)
- Purple
- Crane
- Rubber Ducky (with a hard hat)
- Yellow
- Boat
- Penguin (with a toolbox)
- Red
- Dump Truck
Pokemon Collector's Edition[]
- The tokens (non-pewter) are of Generation I Pokemon, the first 151. They are:
- 1: Bulbasaur
- 4: Charmander
- 9: Blastoise
- 25: Pikachu
- 35: Clefairy
- 150: Mewtwo
- Pokemon in Pewter token edition are also of Generation I Pokemon, the first 151. They are:
- 4: Charmander
- 25: Pikachu
- 52: Meowth
- 54: Psyduck
- 61: Poliwhirl
- 143: Snorlax
Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition[]
- Cowboy Hat
- Pretzel
- Egyptian Head Mask
- Tuk Tuk Wagon
- Canadian Mountie
- Kangaroo
- London Black Cab
- Chinese Dragon
- Safari Hat
- NASCAR Stock Car
- Boomerang
- Windmill
- Camel
- Inca Mask
- Sumo Wrestler
- Matador
- Inca Statue
- Surfer
- Russian Dolls
- Baseball Glove
- African Mask
- Easter Island Head
- Football
- Koala
2017 Token Madness Edition[]
Potential New Tokens (in gold)
- Penguin
- CRT Television
- Modern Racecar
- Mr. Monopoly Emoji
- Rubber Duck
- Wristwatch
- Wheel
- Bunny Slippers
Classics (in pewter)
- Scottish Terrier
- Thimble
- (Classic) Automobile
- Cat
- Battleship
- Top Hat
- Wheelbarrow
- Shoe (or Boot)
Nintendo Collector's Edition[]
- A Koopa Shell
- An NES Controller
- Mario's Hat
- Donkey Kong's Barrel
- Link's Iron Boots
- Link's Hylian Shield
Phineas and Ferb Edition[]
6 tokens are in the game, as shown below:
- Candace Flynn
- Phineas Flynn
- Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated's main building
- Ferb Fletcher
- Perry the Playtpus (in pet form)
- Perry's hat
Brave Collector's Edition[]
6 tokens:
- Tiara
- Quiver
- Magic Tart
- Bow & Arrows
- Target
- Sword
Futurama Collector's Edition[]
- Bender's Head
- What-If Machine
- Hypnotoad
- Brain Slug
- Seymore
- Planet Express Ship
- Leela's Boot
My Disney Villains Collector's Edition[]
The tokens all relate to the headgear of the various villains:
- Evil Queen's Crown (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
- Jafar's Hat (Aladdin)
- Maleficent's Horns (Sleeping Beauty)
- Frollo's Hat (Hunchback of Notre Dame)
- Captain Hook's Hat (Peter Pan)
- Mad Hatter's Hat (Alice in Wonderland)
Sephora Edition[]
- Blow Dryer
- Compact
- Lipstick
- Mascara
- Mirror
- Powder Brush
Sonic the Hedgehog Collector's Edition[]
Star Wars Episode I Edition[]
- Light Side:
- Queen Amidala
- Qui-Gon Jinn
- Anakin Skywalker
- Jar-Jar Binks
- Dark side:
- Darth Sidious
- Darth Maul
- Sebulba
- Battle Droid
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Edition[]
- 4 Playable Tokens (all silver)
- 1 Ally Token (green)
- 3 Imperial Enemy Tokens
- Incinerator Stormtrooper (red)
- Death Trooper (black)
- Moff Gideon (gray)
Star Trek: Continuum Edition[]
- Vulcan Lyre
- TOS Shuttlecraft
- ST: V-era Phaser Pistol
- TOS Communicator
- TOS-era Command Chair
- Klingon Blood Wine Goblet
Target Edition[]
These tokens have the Target logo.
- Bullseye Dog
- Shopping Cart
- Shopping Bag
- Coffee Cup
Coca-Cola Collector's Edition[]
- A bottle cap
- A delivery truck
- A Contour Glass
- A fountain dispenser
- A Coca-Cola Polar Bear
- An Original Hutchinson Bottle
- A Contour Bottle
- A Coca-Cola Santa
Monopoly: Empire[]
(OLD)
- Red from the Angry Birds.
- A bottle of Coca-Cola.
- An Xbox 360 controller.
- A Happy Meal.
- A pair of Beats by Dre.
- A Chevrolet Camaro
(NEW)
- A Paramount branded clapper board.
- A Ducati motorcycle.
- An Xbox 360 controller. (GOLD)
- A pack of McDonald's fries.
- A bottle of Coca-Cola. (GOLD)
- A Corvette C7. (GOLD)
Hello Kitty Collector's Edition[]
- Kitty's bow
- Three apples
- Milk bottle
- Lunchbox
- Fishbowl
- Teddy
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Collector's Edition[]
The Muppets[]
South Park Collector's Edition[]
The Simpsons[]
- Jebediah Springfield
- Kang
- Santa's Little Helper
- Homer Simpson
- Three-Eyed Fish
- Bart Simpson
Shrek[]
SpongeBob SquarePants[]
Playable Characters
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Patrick Star
- Squidward Tentacles
- Eugene Krabs
- Sandy Cheeks
- Gary the Snail
Optional Non-playable Character (Enemy)
- Sheldon Plankton (coin)
Junior Edition (2014)[]
While original versions lacked tokens, the Junior Edition's release in 2014 contained some tokens.
- Dog
- Cat
- Boat
- Car
Transformer: Collectors Edition[]
- Optimus Prime
- Bumblebee
- Grimlock
- Megatron
- Soundwave
- Ravage
Monopoly for Millennials[]
The tokens are gold.
- Camera
- Hashtag (Pound Sign)
- Bicycle
- Sunglasses
- Laughing Emoji
- Mr. Monopoly Emoji
Monopoly Space[]
The tokens are made of molded plastic (instead of die-cast metal).
- Astronaut
- Rover
- Shuttle
- Satellite
Each token has their own gameboard quadrant of different colors to build their colonies.
Monopoly: Socialism[]
The tokens are colored red.
- Pocket Watch
- Television
- Typewriter
- Telephone
- Cellular Phone
- Gramophone
Monopoly: House Divided[]
- Blue Party
- Donkey
- Eagle
- Peace Symbol
- Red Party
- Elephant
- U.S. Flag
- Tea Cup
Monopoly: Longest Game Ever[]
There are only 4 tokens.
- Silver Rabbit
- Golden Rabbit
- Silver Turtle
- Golden Turtle
Monopoly: Team Fortress 2[]
Monopoly: Team Fortress 2 features 6 tokens:
- Sentry Gun
- Bombcart
- Towering Pillar of Hats
- Balloonicorn
- Saxxy
- Wooden Cow Cutout
Monopoly: Scott The Woz Edition[]
Monopoly: Scott The Woz Edition features 6 tokens:
- "The Internet and You" Tape
- '08 Stack
- Old Phone
- Nostalgia Goggles
- Party Hat
- Tambourine
Monopoly Go![]
There are over 30 tokens to collect in Monopoly Go. Some of them can earned from events and a few of them can be from Net Worth Upgrades.
Unlicensed Versions[]
Anti-Monopoly[]
- Current Tokens: 6
- Anti-Monopoly's tokens are abstract designs, such as a crescent moon. 3 are blue and 3 are green.
Catopoly[]
- Mouse
- Tin of Sardines
- Can of Ocean Fish
- Fish
- Ball of Yarn
- Bottle of Milk
This article is not finished. If you know a Monopoly game with different tokens, please write about it here.
Monopoly: La que se avecina[]
Monopoly's tokens are 2013 utilities and locations.
- Race Car
- Hat
- Thimble
- Shoe (Boot)
- Cat
- Dog
- Ship
- Wheelbarrow