Obverse Design Has "HNCO" (probably for Howard NCO Club) across the top and a large "50¢" across the bottom.
Reverse Design Has a short line across the top of the token, "HOLIDAY" and "TRADE" on two lines across the middle, then another short line across the bottom.
Metal Green plastic with white letters. Weight Unknown. Size and Shape Round, 37 mm in diameter.
Dates Issued They were used only for a short time (perhaps four days) during one particular Christmas and New Year holiday season. The exact year is unknown, but was probably in the 1960's. Warren Plumer purchased a set on November 10, 1970 from M. D. Hargrade, who stated that these tokens were issued for a four day period only.
Issuer Howard Air Force Base, located on the west bank of the Canal at the Pacific entrance. Howard AFB opened around 1941.
Mintage Unknown.
Rarity Scarce. Manufacturer Unknown. Other Catalog Numbers Asociación Numismático's F-177 (photo), Cunningham's CZ240a, Henkle's CZ-100 and Plumer page #5.
Varieties None known.
Function Perhaps a Post Exchange token.
Population Count Five specimens in collector hands are known to me. I do not know of any recent sales.