Gray 23J Coin Collector or Pay Station

 Similar to the 23D   but with the more modern handset replacing the separate transmitter and receiver. Since the phone doesn’t have a talk transmitter on the front the operator wouldn’t have been able to have heard the as they were dropped. For that reason a transmitter was added inside the housing! This transmitter is connected to the talk circuit of the collector. While the 23D were made of cast iron the 23Js were made of cast iron and also aluminum. I don’t know if it is always the case but the ones I have seen that were made of aluminum didn’t have the 3 individual tabs behind the coin slots, just one piece going across the top stamped with the 25, 10 & 5. View the pictures of the 2 different 23J collectors here to see the 2 types. The later aluminum one was used as a payphone, the older one with the separate tabs was used to call a Western Union operator to place telegram orders.  

 The Gray 23Jwas featured in the Gray Telephone Pay Station catalogue.  

This particular 23J is made of cast Iron. It has the type 38 handset with Nickle plated hardware. 

All locks come with keys. Unlike most you see for sale the top Crab lock has its original steel key. Everything is nice about this one. Japan black paint that is original has been cleaned up nicely. Coins chime when hitting the gongs Each coin sounds differently This one sat in a collection for a very long time.

Has sign on the front which is covered with glass.

If you buy this here on our website. I will include a copy of the Gray Telephone Pay Stations.