1 Broodkaart - Vooruit J. Fisch

This token is a bread card (a card for obtaining food) of the socialist consumer organization Vooruit (1880-1970), which was founded first as a cooperative bakery Vooruit to protect workers against the instability of capitalism.
The year on the token is 1880 - the year of foundation of the Vooruit in Ghent (Belgium), later editions were always issued with the year 1880.

There are different varieties (A.FISCH or J. FISCH, with or without dot after "WORDEN"). For A. Fisch (types 1 and 2), see the other page.

This type is listed as #3 (with variants 3A and 3B), #4, and #5 in the catalog “Het Huisgeld van de Gentse S.M. VOORUIT Nr. 1” (Andre Despretz, 1982). The numbers are for differences in the obverse, and the letters refer to differences in the reverse of the tokens.

Difference between types 3A and 3B

Types #3A and #3B were produced with the same die:

Type #3B is a variety that was produced with a worn out die, whereas Type #3A was produced with a new die.

The differences between these two types are subtle, and sometimes it is hard to tell which is which. 

Obverse of a clear Type 3A (left) and a clear Type 3B (right):

The best way to determine the difference, is to compare the right side of the combwheel: Type 3B misses 2 or 3 teeth.

Mostly this is combined with a very weak J or F in the text inside the comb wheel.

Sometimes only the upper half of the “1” in “1880” is clearly visible.

Also, the fleurons on the reverse show more wear in Type 3B when compared with Type 3A.

Difference between types 3 and 4

Obverse of Type 3 (left) and Type 4 (right):

Differences are clearly visible in following details:

The pattern of folds in the dress of Lady Vooruit (most noticeable directly under the R);

The size of the entrance of the beehive;

The distribution of the letters “ J. FISCH” in the combwheel.

Reverse of Type 3 (left) and Type 4 (right):

Differences are clearly visible in following details:

The width of the “1” (2 mm vs 2.9 mm);

The shape of the “B”: Type 4 has an odd shape, with a wider loop at the top than at the bottom.

Other types:

Type #5 is very rare: it has the obverse of Type #4 and the reverse of Type #1D.

All metal bread tokens of S.M. VOORUIT were demonetized on the 1st of July, 1966.

Source: “Het oudste huisgeld van de Gentse S. M. Vooruit Nr. 1” (Andre Despretz, ca. 1984)