Showbiz Pizza Place Token Info
Overview
The Showbiz Pizza Place tokens are not nearly as varied as the Chuck E. Cheese tokens, but they do exist in four distinct types.
Type 1 says "Pizza Show Biz" in reference to Bob Brock's company that was to be used to develop Pizza Time Theatre locations. Before the tokens could be used, Brock separated from CEC and created Showbiz Pizza Place. These tokens were used in the first SPP location. Type 2 says "Showbiz Pizza Place" and is the standard SPP token used in all U.S. locations until SPP was rebranded as CEC. Type 3 says "Showbiz Pizza Fiesta" and was used in the SPP in Juarez, Mexico. Type 4 was used in the United Kingdom.
Although SPP absorbed Chuck E. Cheese's, it was decided to remodel all SPP locations into Chuck E. Cheese's restaurants. By 1994 there were no SPP locations left, and therefore no more SPP tokens being produced. One exception may be a SPP location in Dubai that may have produced tokens well after 1994. No SPP tokens include a date or specific location.
It is unclear at this time whether or not the earliest SPP nickel plated tokens (SO1N and S08N) are standard issue or proofs similar to the CEC type 1 proofs.
Obverse Design
The earliest SPP tokens (Type 1) say "Pizza Show Biz" in an incuse design. All later tokens say, "Showbiz Pizza Place." All tokens have the motto "Come For The Pizza Stay For the Fun."
Reverse Design
The earliest SPP tokens (S01 and S08) say "Play 25 Value", while all later tokens have the same motto as the obverse, along with the motto "For Use In Showbiz Pizza Place Only" and "Play Value." There are three varieties of reverse for these tokens. Some use a small font for the "For Use in Showbiz" motto. These tokens have beveled edges with thicker lettering and devices on both sides of the token. Other tokens use a taller, skinnier font, and have squared edges. Some reverses say, "Show Biz" instead of "Showbiz."
Metal Compositions
Different compositions were used including brass, copper plated brass or zinc, nickel plated brass or zinc, and anodized (in a variety of colors) zinc or nickel-plated zinc. The nickel plated, copper plated, and anodized tokens were deliberately ordered to be used as control tokens.
Some SPP tokens can be found spray-painted by individual restaurants for use as control tokens.
Token Diameters
Token manufactures use inches to measure a token's size (diameter). To allow collectors to identify token sizes using a ruler (instead of digital calipers), the approximate size in millimeters is given below. SPP tokens exist in .800, .880, .900, .915 and .984 diameters. While most sizes are consistent, the .900 tokens can measure anywhere from .895 to .901.
Die Alignment
Die alignment refers to the relative orientation of the obverse die to the reverse die. Most tokens in this catalog were intentionally struck in medal orientation, meaning both the obverse and reverse designs are "right side up" at the same time. Some tokens, however, seem to have intentionally been struck in coin orientation, meaning that when the obverse design is "right side up" the reverse design is "upside down." All SPP tokens with the "small letters" were struck in coin orientation. The rest were struck with medal orientation.
Oddballs
Type 3 forgoes the standard SPP designs altogether. They feature a picture of a bear (Billy Bob?) and say, "Showbiz Pizza Fiesta" on the obverse, and "Venga Por El Show Regrese Por La Pizza" on the reverse. These were produced for use in the Juarez, Mexico location.
There exists a SPP token with the "No Cash Value" reverse. It was made by the Roger Williams Mint in a bid to obtain the SPP token contract but was never put into regular production.
Token Rarity
Throughout this catalog, five different levels of rarity are used. Because neither mintage numbers nor survival numbers are available, determining the rarity of a token can only be approximated. This catalog uses information from many people and eBay auction records to determine these approximate levels of rarity. Rarity levels can change as time passes.
R1- COMMON- All tokens are assumed to be common unless otherwise specified. Common tokens are easily obtained through either bulk token purchases from token dealers or eBay auctions. These tokens can be found for a very minimal cost.
R2- SCARCE- Scarce tokens take a little work to find. They do show up on eBay and bulk token purchases with some regularity, but not enough to be considered common. With diligence, all scarce tokens can be found at moderately reasonable prices.
R3- RARE- Rare tokens can be difficult to locate. Of course, they can show up in a bulk token purchase, but the likelihood that will happen is very low. These tokens come up for sale so sparingly that when two collectors are trying to buy the token it can fetch a moderately high price. The casual collector will probably never have a rare token in their collection.
R4-EXTREMELY RARE- These tokens are very difficult to find. These have been found in bulk token purchases in the past, but that occurring now is nearly impossible. Tokens that are unique, or among only a few to exist are in this category. You will most likely be buying an extremely rare token from another collector, and the price will be high. Many collectors are perfectly content with never owning a token in this category, while others will obsessively search for one, paying almost any price to obtain it.
R5- Unique, or nearly Unique- These tokens are almost impossible to find.
Showbiz Pizza Place Rarities
Extremely Rare
1. Nickel plated "Pizza Show Biz" token - SO1N
2. Nickel plated "Showbiz Pizza Place" with "Play 25¢ Value" reverse token - S08N
3. .900 "Showbiz Pizza Fiesta" token - S14N
4. .984 "Showbiz Pizza Fiesta" with "Sin Valor" around edge - S16N
Rare
1. .984 "Showbiz Pizza Fiesta" with "Sin Valor" under head - S15N
2. All non-pink anodized tokens - S09aZ [Black, Light Blue, Blue, Dark Blue, and Olive], S13aN Red],
and S17aZ [Blue]
3. Copper plated <OC> token - S10C
4. .915 token - S07B
5. Dubai token - S12B
Scarce
1. 800, .880, and .900 tokens, - S02, S03, S04, S05, S06