Description:

These collectible phone cards from Ameritech’s coin$aver series offer a nostalgic glimpse into Michigan’s renowned Mackinac Island, a beloved tourist destination celebrated for its scenic beauty and historic charm. The front of the card features a vibrant photograph that captures the island’s essence, with a lush foreground of lilac blossoms—the iconic symbol of the annual Lilac Festival held on Mackinac Island. The colorful lilacs stand out against the deep blue waters and the harbor, where sailboats and motorboats are docked along a wooden jetty, highlighting the island’s popularity for boating and leisure activities. The scene evokes a peaceful, picturesque environment that invites viewers to explore and appreciate the natural and cultural heritage of this Michigan treasure.

The card’s design also includes clear branding and value information: a bold "$5" is prominently displayed in the upper left corner, just above the vertically stacked text “MACKINAC ISLAND” in a retro, stylized font that captures the vintage feel of the 1990s and emphasizes its collectible appeal. The Ameritech logo is discreetly positioned on the lower right, crediting the issuer while maintaining focus on the island’s beauty and the card’s purpose of saving money when calling home or abroad. The word “coin$aver,” with its distinctive dollar-sign substitution, is prominently printed at the bottom, further highlighting the card’s function as a prepaid phone card designed to make calls affordable and convenient for users.

Flipping the card reveals detailed instructions on the back for using Ameritech’s coin$aver Service. A magnetic strip at the top, typical of phone cards from that era, accompanies step-by-step guidance on placing local, long-distance, and international calls via Ameritech Touch Tone payphones. The instructions are clear and user-friendly, with toll-free numbers provided for ordering additional cards or resolving service questions. The warning “No refunds for lost or stolen cards” underscores the card’s value and encourages careful handling. This side of the card emphasizes its practical utility in a pre-digital age, when such phone cards enabled connectivity for travelers, residents in remote areas, or anyone managing long-distance communication before the widespread adoption of mobile phones.

Overall, this collectible phone card transcends its utility, serving as a snapshot of 1990s Americana. It combines functionality with a celebration of local culture and scenic tourism. The depiction of Mackinac Island—with boats gently bobbing in the harbor and fragrant lilacs in full bloom—captures the spirit of a summer festival on this enchanting island, offering a glimpse into a simpler era when phone cards like this bridged distances both literally and figuratively. For collectors and enthusiasts, cards like this serve as mementos of Michigan’s natural beauty and the communication technology of a few decades ago, beautifully intertwining nostalgia, geography, and the practical art of staying connected.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.