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In the 1920’s and 1930’s the notorious and savage
mob called the “Purple Gang” received
notoriety for their bootlegging, hijacking, drug
trade and illegal casino operations in Detroit,
Michigan. Also known as the “Sugar House
Gang”, the group was made up of predominantly
Jewish children of immigrants from
Poland and Russia who started off as petty
thieves and shakedown artists who later
reigned supreme over the Detroit underworld
and controlled the city’s vice of gambling. The
gang name originated from a conversation between
two terrorized shopkeepers: “These
boys are not like other children of their age,
they’re tainted, off color, like the color of bad
meat- they’re the Purple Gang”. The Purple
Gang was eventually known for their involvement
in the Valentine’s Day Massacre, and
was even referenced in the 1957 Elvis song and
film “Jailhouse Rock” in the line “The whole
rhythm section was the Purple Gang.” The
casino they operated had no outwardly identifiable
name, so casino tokens were created
brazenly noting only the address, 24845 Gratiot,
Ave. We have made a fortunate purchase
of 50¢ metal gambling chips from the infamous
Gang. The extra fine tokens measure 1
3/16” round and can be yours for only…
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