Type 1a "Old Rat Head" (1977-1982)

OVERVIEW

Type 1 is divided into two sub-types. Tokens that are generic (no city listed on token) fall into sub-type 1A, and those specifically listing a city fall into sub-type 1B. Type 1B tokens were offered as an incentive to new franchise owners, but not every franchise location during 1978-1983 got them (it is unknown why), and some corporate centers got them (again, not sure why). Type 1A tokens were produced for every corporate or franchise location that did not get the type 1B design. Type 1 exhibits the most varieties of any other type. In the early years of Chuck E. Cheese's development, either the corporation was experimenting with different design features, or mints in the different regions of the U.S. helped create the designs resulting in different varieties.

The low-relief designs of 1981 (106 & 107) and 1982 (112 & 113) can be found with certain elements (especially the ©) only partially present, or even missing completely. The tokens with full © were struck with new dies, while the ones with faint or partial were struck later after the dies had been polished, lowering the fields. The tokens with the © completely missing were the last ones struck after excessive die polishing lowered the fields enough to eliminate the already shallow design. Because the "faint/no " tokens and the "full C" tokens were struck with the same dies they are not separate varieties. Much like the low-relief designs mentioned above, the 3D Rat Head (109) designs either suffered a similar issue regarding excessive die polishing (resulting in some details like the neck and hat to come up faint or missing), or some tokens were struck with insufficient pressure causing some of the elements to not fully form. All these tokens should be considered one variety. Unlike the faint, or missing © on the tokens mentioned above, the 1982 "loose " variety (115) appears to be fully struck with no excessive die polishing present. Also, the "c" is a completely different font than the "c" with the circle around it. Therefore, there seems to have been two distinct designs used, so the two designs are rightly considered as different varieties.

Type 1 tokens feature the original "Old Rat Head" design of Chuck E. and bears the name "Pizza Time Theatre" on the obverse. Some tokens say "Pizzatime" while others say "Pizza Time", and some tokens say "Chuck E. Cheese" while others say "Chuck E. Cheese's". Additionally, different font types, sizes, and weights were used.

REVERSE DESIGN

The reverse bears the motto "In Pizza We Trust", and states "25¢ Play Value", "25¢ Play", or "25¢ Value". Different font types, sizes, and weights were used. A small group of tokens during this time use the stock "No Cash Value" design on the reverse with no date listed.

METAL COMPOSITION

Different metal compositions were used including brass, gilt brass, bronze, gilt bronze, and nickel-plated brass. It is not known for sure why the nickel-plated brass tokens were produced, but it is believed they were produced by the mints as proof copies and included in each shipment. Some tokens can be found that are plated in zinc or copper. These tokens were plated after leaving the mint for a Pizza Time Theatre promotional event. In addition, some Type 1A tokens can be found spray-painted by individual restaurants for use as control tokens. 

TOKEN DIAMETERS

Type 1A tokens exist in .880 and .984 diameters with the large majority of them being the .984 diameter.

DIE ALIGNMENT

All Type 1A tokens were struck in medal orientation.

ODDBALLS

Two exceptions to the designs of the standard Type 1 tokens include tokens produced for restaurants in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Both designs feature the "Old Rat Head" and list no date. The Canada token (124) says "A La Grace De La Pizza" on the obverse, and "In Pizza We Trust" on the reverse. The Australia token (122 & 123) says, "Charlie Cheese Pizza Playhouse" on the obverse and "For Amusement Only" with a map of Australia on the reverse. There also exists a 3D version of Chuck E. in 1981 (109) that utilizes a distinctly different font on the obverse and reverse and is missing the "fan" ornaments on the obverse and reverse. 

TYPE 1A RARITIES.

Extremely Rare

1. .984 "No Cash Value" token - 121B

2. All nickel-plated tokens.

3. Charlie Cheese Playhouse token with stars - 123B

4. Bz 1981 3D Rat Head token - 109Bz

Rare

1. Charlie Cheese Playhouse token with dots - 122B

2. 1981 "Pizzatime", "Chuck E. Cheese" token - 110B

3. 1982 "Pizzatime", "Chuck E. Cheese" token - 116B

Scarce

1. 1977 tokens - 101gB and 101gBz

2. 1978 token - 102Bz

Type 1b - "Old Rat Head" (1978-1983)

OVERVIEW

Type 1 is divided into two sub-types. Tokens that are generic (no city listed on token) fall into sub-type 1A, and those specifically listing a city fall into sub-type 1B. Instead of listing the city, the 1982 "Hav Pizza" token (182) lists the name of the franchisee.

Type 1B tokens were offered as a promotional incentive for new franchise owners. The 1979 franchise brochure states, "You'll receive 5,000 free tokens stamped with your location and date - a real collector's item - plus your own die to 'mint' as many more tokens as you need." Not every franchise center during 1978-1983 got them (it is unknown why), and some corporate centers got them (again, not sure why).

Type 1 exhibits the most varieties of any other type. In the early years of Chuck E. Cheese's development, either the corporation was experimenting with different design features, or mints in the different regions of the U.S. created the designs resulting in different varieties.

OBVERSE DESIGN

Type 1B tokens feature the original "Old Rat Head" design of Chuck E. and bears the name "Pizza Time Theatre" on the obverse. Some tokens say "Pizzatime" while others say "Pizza Time." Each Type 1B token lists the city and state for which the token was created. Additionally, different font types, sizes, and weights were used.

REVERSE DESIGN

The reverse bears the motto "In Pizza We Trust", and states "25¢ Play Value", "25¢ Play", or "25¢ Value". Different font types, sizes, and weights were used.

METAL COMPOSITION

Different metal compositions were used including brass, gilt brass, bronze, gilt bronze, and nickel-plated brass. It is not known for sure why the nickel-plated brass tokens were produced, but it is believed they were produced by the mints as proof copies and included in each shipment. Some tokens can be found that are plated in zinc or copper. These tokens were plated after leaving the mint for a Pizza Time Theatre promotional event. In addition, some Type 1B tokens can be found spray-painted by individual restaurants for use as control tokens. 

Type 1B tokens exist only in .984 diameter.

DIE ALIGNMENT

The only Type 1B token struck in coin orientation is 143B. The rest were struck in medal orientation.

TYPE 1B RARITIES.

Extremely Rare

1. 1979 Santa Anna, CA token (30 thought to exist, but only 5 found) - 134B

2. All nickel-plated tokens.

3. 1980 Tucson, Ariz. "Play" 4 dots variety token - 151B

4. 1981 Mobile, AL "Value" token - 168B

Rare

1. 1980 Tucson, Ariz. "Play" 3 dots variety token - 150B

2. 1983 Maplewood, MN token - 186B

3. 1980 Kansas City token - 140B

Scarce

1. 1981 Clearwater, FLA token - 156B

2. 1982 New Hope, Minn. tokens - 184B and 185B

3. Bz and gBz 1978 San Jose tokens - 125Bz and 125gBz

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 be considered separate varieties.

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 molto, "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 "25C 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 un-plated zinc. These tokens are thought to have missed the copper plating process at the mint. 

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 ALGNMENT

The only Type 2 tokens struck in coin orientation are 202B, 202C, 206B, 207B,  207C, 2158, 215C, 216B, 216C, 216N, 217B AND 217C. The rest were struck in medal orientation.

TYPE 2 RARITIES

Extremely Rare

1. 1984 thick letters with "ChuckE." token - 205B

Rare

1. Nickel plated tokens (all years except 1984)

Scarce

1. Copper plated tokens from 1983-1985 - 202C, 204C, and 207C

2. 1986 thick letter variety with no mintmark token - 2098

Type 3-'Adult Mouse Head II (1990-2006)

OVERVIEW

The overall design of the tokens changed again in 1990 and created the Type 3 series. At this point in the company's development there was an even more controlled ordering process that created a more consistent design. There are two main varieties existing during the years 1990-1995. All corporate restaurants used tokens featuring a small ®, small/widely spaced dots, and a taller/thinner font. Franchise locations used a design featuring a large ®, larger/closely spaced dots, and a shorter/slightly font.

OBVERSE/REVERSE DESIGN

Type 3 tokens feature the same design on both sides. The same version of Chuck E. from type 2 is used but is larger. This is often referred as the "Adult Mouse Head II" design. The obverse/reverse features the new motto, "Where A Kid Can Be A Kid." Two different font sizes and weights were used.

METAL COMPOSITION

Different metal compositions were used including brass, copper plated brass or zinc, nickel plated brass or zinc, and pink anodized nickel-plated zinc. It is not known for sure why the nickel-plated and copper plated tokens were produced, but it is believed they were specifically ordered for use as control tokens, or they were produced by the mints as proof copies and included in each shipment. The pink anodized nickel-plated zinc tokens were definitely ordered to be used as control tokens.

Some tokens can be found that are un-plated zinc. These tokens are thought to have missed the copper plating or anodizing process at the mint. 

Some Type 3 tokens can be found spray-painted by individual restaurants for use as control tokens. 

TOKEN DIAMETERS

Type 3 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

All Type 3 "large ® " tokens were struck in coin orientation. The rest were struck in medal orientation.

ODDBALLS

Two exceptions to the designs of the standard Type 3 tokens were tokens produced during 1990 that feature different reverse designs. One features a "Chuck E. Cheese's" logo, and the other a "Showbiz Pizza" logo. Both were of the small ® variety. It is not clear exactly why these were produced, but at this time all Showbiz-themed restaurants were being remodeled to be Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza.

TYPE 3 RARITIES

Extremely Rare

1. Copper plated 1990 Showbiz Pizza logo token - 304C

2. Nickel plated .900 tokens - 307N, 310N, 313N

3. Nickel plated 1990 Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza logo token - 303N

Rare

1. Brass and nickel plated 1990 large @ tokens - 301B and 301N

2. Copper plated tokens from 1991-1996

3. Nickel plated .984 tokens from 1996-2006

Scarce

1. Brass .900 token - 307B, 310B, 313B

Type 4- 'Juvenile Mouse Head' (1995-2013)

OVERVIEW

The overall design of the tokens changed again in 1996 to create the Type 4 series. The design concept for tokens were now completely controlled by corporate, resulting in only one variety for each year produced. There was a minor change in the design affecting all tokens from 2001-2013. The Type 3 and Type 4 series were both produced during 1995-2006. Type 3 was continued to be used in franchised locations, and Type 4 (replacing the Type 3 small 8) was created for use in corporate restaurants. However, it was discovered that some locations used both designs concurrently.

OBVERSE/REVERSE DESIGN

Type 4 tokens feature the same design on both sides. A younger version of Chuck E. is used and is commonly referred to as the "Juvenile Mouse Head" design. The obverse/reverse still features the motto, "Where A Kid Con Be A Kid." In 2006, the design was slightly changed to include a "C" on Chuck E's cap, and one less circle around the portrait.

METAL COMPOSITION

Different metal compositions were used for Type 4 tokens including brass, copper plated brass, nickel plated brass, and black chromate coated brass. It is believed that the nickel plated, copper plated, and black chromate tokens were specifically ordered for use as control token.

TOKEN DIAMETERS

Type 4 tokens exist in .800, .900, and .984 diameters with the large majority of them being .984, The .800 and .984 sizes ore consistent across all tokens, but the .900 tokens can measure anywhere from .895 to 901.

DIE ALIGNMENT

All Type 4 tokens were struck in medal orientation.

ODDBALLS

Two exceptions to the design of the standard Type 4 tokens were the .880 tokens that bare no date, and token produced for use in the Jeddah, Saudi Arabia location. The Saudi Arabia token is .800, lists the location, and bears no date.

TYPE 4 RARITES

Rare

1. Saudi Arabia token - 4208

2. Undated .900 tokens, - 4078 and 407N

3. Black chromate tokens (years 1998-2007)

Scarce

1. Copper plated tokens of 2007 and 2008, - 414C and 415C

Type 5- "Baby Mouse Head' (2013-2018, 2023)

OERVEW

The design changed one last time in 2013 to create the Type 5 series. This series lasted only four years before Chuck E. Cheese's decided to abandon token use altogether in favor of rewards cards in 2017. Although officially CEC token production ended in 2016, a few franchises produced tokens through 2018 and 2023.

OBVERSE DESIGN

Breaking with the last two types, the Type 5 obverse is different from the reverse. The obverse has a picture of an electric guitar.

REVERSE DESIGN

The reverse has the new motto, "Chuck E. Rocks" and includes an even younger version of Chuck E. often referred to as the "Baby Mouse Head" design.

METAL COMPOSITION

Type 5 tokens were only produced in brass.

TOKEN DIAMETERS

Type 5 tokens exit in .800 and .984 diameters.

DIE ALIGNMENT

All Type 5 tokens were struck in medal orientation.

ODDBALLS

One exception to the design of the standard Type 5 tokens was a 2014 token produced to be used in Saudi Arabia. This token is .800 and lists the location.

TYPE 5 RARITIES

Rare

1. Saudi Arabia token - 503B

2.Saudi Arabia token - 503N