What is a wooden nickel?

A wooden nickel is a type of token or coin made from wood, typically maple or birch. They were first popularized in the United States during the Great Depression, when businesses and local governments would use wooden nickels as a promotional tool or as a form of currency in local economies. Wooden nickels often bear the image or name of a local business or organization. Today, wooden nickels are often used as souvenirs or collector's items, particularly in communities with a strong timber industry or those with a historic connection to the Great Depression era.