My old man used to own a campground in Rapid City, South Dakota called "Whispering Pines". He had these made in the early to mid-1990's if I had to guess.
The campground had a general store with a couple pool tables, taxidermied mounts from a dozen species, cold soda and beer, basic fishing tackle and bait, and a large lifelike statue of an indian chief (among many other curious old west themed items and decor). Around the neck of the indian chief hung a little cowhide purse filled with these wooden nickels. He'd tell the young kids they could have one if they dared reach into the purse. Hahaha. I watched more than a few timid hands reaching in for nickels over the years.