Released in 1968 by Rainbow Crafts, Play-Doh Coin-Maker allowed children to make foil-wrapped coins for wearing, decoration, or imaginative play.
The playset’s simplicity made it easy to use for young Play-Doh fans. A hinged coin press would emboss Play-Doh that was folded into foil. Dies molded with “100”, “500”, and “Lucky” were snapped into the top and bottom of the press. Two dies were chosen for any one coin. The wrapped modelling compound was placed on the lower mold and the top was closed. The pressure of the closed press embossed the foil.
When the press was opened, the newly minted coin was removed and excess foil and Play-Doh was torn away. The resulting coin could then be used as currency during imaginative play. Plastic tabs could be inserted through the coin so children could wear their creation as a necklace, on a belt, or proudly display it.
Paper play money was also included with the set. One side featured denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, and $50. The reverse promoted other Rainbow Craft toys such as Dip Dots, Oddkins, Playnts, Play-Doh, and Fun Factory.
IN THE BOX
A complete set included the plastic coin press, three dies, three tabs, a can of Play-Doh, foil sheets, and play money. An illustrated sheet of instructions was included in the box.
ORIGIN STORY
In the 1930s, Noah McVickor of Kutol Products — a Cincinnati-based cleaning products company — created a compound to remove coal soot from wallpaper. While the product failed to take off as originally intended, it did capture the attention of teacher Kay Zufall, who brought the compound to her young students as a craft. The compound sparked the interest of the children, and Zufall encouraged McVickor to remarket his product as a child’s toy. McVickor founded Rainbow Crafts in 1956 to manufacture the new plaything, and the compound was renamed Play-Doh.
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