Phonecards for exchange

by Brian Barker

Unless otherwise stated, all cards are used but in good condition.

I am not particularly interested in selling cards, but rather in exchanging them for cards I do not already have in my collection, especially those from countries other than the United Kingdom. I have a short wants list of cards I should be particularly keen to receive, but I am open to all offers. If you would like to propose an exchange, please e-mail me on b.m.barker@talk21.com, telling me what you have to offer in return. (Please note that - even though I try to keep these lists up to date - I cannot promise that all the listed cards are still available for exchange.)

I am more interested in exchanging twenty to thirty cards at a time, but you may be able to persuade me to exchange as few as one.

Unfortunately, I have at present no means of sending images of cards. If you need to see a particular card, please let me know and I will try to find an existing image of the card somewhere on the web for you.

The catalogue numbers quoted are given in good faith but not guaranteed. If you have any doubts about the precise identity of any card, please ask for details.

Sterling (GBP) denominations are given in pounds ("£") and pence ("p"), where £1 = 100p.

British Telecom / BT

• The early cards (1981 to 1996) were of the stored-value optical type, made by Landis & Gyr. They were made of (usually) black plastic and had a holographic stripe which was thermally erased as the value was used. The value on these cards was denominated in "units"; these units originally had a value of 5p (£0.05) each, but this was soon increased to 10p (£0.10).

  • Optical definitives
    These are the many definitive series of the optical type of card. Don't think of these as boring: there are many varieties of card, some quite rare, and the "free unit" cards in particular are very smart.
  • Advertising opticals
    Cards commissioned for commercial advertising
  • Commemorative opticals

• From 1996 to 2000, BT sold stored-value cards made from slightly thicker white plastic having an embedded chip with a contact plate. These cards are denominated in monetary amounts instead of in "units" (though the value is still erased from the cards in 10p (£0.10) units).

  • Chip definitives
    Once again, there are a number of series and some rare types. Note that what I think of as the original chip definitive series was pictorial and - following the catalogue numbering - I have listed them under "Advertising chip cards" below.
  • Advertising chip cards

• Starting in 2000, BT are now issuing remote-stored-value chip cards. Like any remote card, these can be used from any telephone through the use of a free access number and a card account number printed on the card. From a card payphone, however, the chip accesses the number and inputs the account number automatically. These cards are rechargeable from a credit or debit card account.

  • Phonecard plus
    ???.

Mercury

Mercury Communications issued thick black plastic stored-value magnetic cards for some years, but have now withdrawn from the payphone business and so no longer issue cards. Some of these cards were also branded "Paytelco".
• Mercury (and Paytelco) cards

Other U.K. operators' remote cards

• Other phonecards (coming soon)

• U.K. remote stored value cards (coming soon)
• Other countries' remote stored value cards (coming soon)

Other telephone-related cards

• Other telephone-related cards (coming soon)

Miscellaneous cards

• Miscellaneous cards (coming soon)

Version 21: Revised 11 October 2000
Brian Barker