Monopoly to Replace Iron Game Token with Cat

Playthings Staff -- Gifts and Dec, February 7, 2013

PAWTUCKET, RI - Monopoly fans have spoken. Later this year, Hasbro will replace the iron token, used for more than 80 years in the classic board game, with a cat.

The cat beat out a helicopter, robot, diamond ring and guitar, as the game piece that should be replaced, with 31 pecent of the votes. The "Save Your Token" campaign ran from Jan. 9 through Feb. 5, and fans from 185 countries voted for the token they wanted to keep and the new one that would join the classic game's lineup. The Scottie Dog token was also a fan favorite with 29 percent of the vote, while the iron, which was added to the game in the 1930s, only received 8 percent, knocking it off the board.

"We know that cat lovers around the world will be happy to welcome the new cat token into the MONOPOLY game," said Eric Nyman, senior vice president and global brand leader for Hasbro Gaming, in a statement. "While we're a bit sad to see the iron go, the cat token is a fantastic choice by the fans and we have no doubt it will become just as iconic as the original tokens."