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Mount Carol I Granite Quarry tokens |
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22.6 mm diameter, brass
face value 5 BANĬ, two five-ray stars, ★, outer pearl circle | inside inner pearl circle a hatched shield (standing for the purple tincture in heraldry) with a five-turrets mural crown, inscription ★ CARIERA DE GRANIT ★ MUNTELE CAROL I meaning GRANITE QUARRY CAROL I MOUNTAIN, outer pearl circle |
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26 mm diameter, copper-nickel alloy
face value 1 LEU, two five-ray stars, ★, outer pearl circle | inside inner pearl circle a hatched shield (standing for the purple tincture in heraldry) with a five-turrets mural crown, inscription ★ CARIERA DE GRANIT ★ MUNTELE CAROL I meaning GRANITE QUARRY CAROL I MOUNTAIN, outer pearl circle |
The granite quarry where these tokens were used is located in Tulcea county, near Turcoaia, in the Iacobdeal area. The exploitation of granite in the Măcin Mountains began in 1880, after the union with Dobrogea. In 1902 the Iacobdeal "mountain" was renamed "Carol I Mountain" - and therefore the tokens presented on this page were used after that date.
Another quarry active today in this area is near the city of Măcin, at the base of Culmea Pricopanului (Pricopan's Ridge) in the Măcin Mountains. A recent photo of this quarry can be seen below. Some other images with landscapes from the area are also presented.
References
1. Bălăiță D., Jetoanele Cariera de Granit Muntele Carol I. Cercetări numismatice, XXIII-XXIV, București, 2017-2018, p. 77-87.
2. Schäffer E., România. Jetoane, semne valorice și mărci, Guttenbrun, 2012.