'Monopoly' iron token is out, cat is in with fan vote

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY | USATODAY

The Monopoly iron is going off to that giant linen closet in the sky.

The token, a staple of the Hasbro board game since the 1930s, is being retired after only garnering 8% of fan votes in a "Save Your Token" campaign. The Scottie dog was the clear choice for fans and game players from 185 countries, getting 29% of the vote.

While the iron leaves the game, a new cat will take its place passing "GO!" and collecting $200 going forward. The feline piece conquered its own competition in a separate vote on the Monopoly Facebook page, winning over four other proposed tokens — a toy robot, guitar, helicopter and diamond ring — with 31%.

"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."

Last week in the home stretch of the "Save Your Token" campaign that began in early January, the iron was in a dead heat with the wheelbarrow and the shoe with 7% each to avoid being last place. Harrisburg, Pa., tool manufacturer Ames True Temper even launched a YouTube campaign to rally fans for last-minute votes in favor of the wheelbarrow.

The cat will join the wheelbarrow, shoe, race car, top hat, thimble, Scottie dog and battleship in the Monopoly game beginning in late summer when the latest edition hits store shelves. A limited-edition "Golden Token" Monopoly ($17.99) arrives exclusively in Target stores this month and will feature gold tokens of all the current lineup — including the last appearance of the iron — and the five proposed new pieces.