CEC Type 2 - "Adult Mouse Head I" (1983-1990)

OVERVIEW

The overall design of the tokens changed in 1983 and created the Type 2 series. We can see here that a more controlled ordering process created a more consistent design. However, there still are two main varieties existing during the years 1983-1987 period. It is thought that the thick letters varieties came from the Hoffman Mint, Osborne Coinage, or possibly the Patrick mint, while the thin letters varieties came from the Roger Williams Mint.

Tokens of this type can be found with a partial, faint or even missing elements (usually the ©). This is due to excessive die polishing or weak strike, and tokens exhibiting this phenomenon should not to be considered separate varieties.

Some Type 2 tokens can be found spray-painted by individual restaurants for use as control tokens. These tokens are listed on the CEC Nonstandard Issues page.

OBVERSE DESIGN

Type 2 tokens feature a newer version of Chuck E. often referred as the "Adult Mouse Head I" design. The obverse features the new motto, "Smile America Say Chuck E. Cheese." Two different font weights were used.

REVERSE DESIGN

The reverse is generally the same as Type 1. It includes the motto "In Pizza We Trust", and states "25¢ Play Value." The reverse “fan” ornaments from Type 1 are replaced by an abstract "squiggle" design. Two different font weights were used.

METAL COMPOSITION

Different metal compositions were used including brass, copper plated zinc, and nickel plated brass. It is not known for sure why the nickel plated brass tokens were produced, but it is believed they were specifically ordered for use as control tokens, or (less likely) they were produced by the mints as proof copies, and ultimately included in the shipment. The copper plated zinc tokens were most likely produced by the mint when they ran out of brass stock. It is believed that they were not intentionally ordered, but only offered as a last-minute replacement to fulfill an order.

The tokens 207B, 215B, and 215B appear to either have a gilt plating or maybe an abnormal brass mixture. They have a distinct shimmering appearance unlike any other brass token in the catalog.

Some tokens can be found that are unplated zinc. These tokens are thought to have missed the copper plating process at the mint. They are listed on the Error Tokens page.

TOKEN DIAMETERS

Type 2 tokens exist in .900 and .984 diameters with the large majority of them being the .984 diameter. The .984 size is consistent across all tokens, but the .900 tokens can measure anywhere from .895 to .901.

DIE ALIGNMENT

The only Type 2 tokens struck in coin orientation are 207C, 215B, 215C, 216C, and 216N. The rest were struck in medal orientation.

TYPE 2 RARITIES

Extremely Rare

1984 thick letters with "ChuckE." token – 205B

Rare

nickel plated tokens (all years except 1984)

Scarce

copper plated tokens from 1983-1985 – 202C, 204C, and 207C
1986 thick letter variety with no mintmark token – 209B

CEC Type 2 Tokens

Date: 1983 | Catalog #s: 201B, 201N

Diameter: 0.900 | Chuck E. Version: Adult Mouse I

Obverse Text: Smile America Say, Chuck E. Cheese