(1830-34) Copper Token HT-163, William H. Milton MA

Coin Details

Description

This copper token from Wm. H. Milton & Co. of Boston, Massachusetts advertises one of the city's retail merchants during the 1830-1834 period. The Milton firm operated in Boston's commercial district, issuing tokens that served as both advertising media and functional cent substitutes during a period of increasing coin scarcity. The obverse features a standard Liberty Head design, while the reverse carries the firm's business identification. Boston in the early 1830s was New England's commercial capital, with a thriving retail sector centered on Washington Street, Tremont Row, and the markets near Faneuil Hall. Merchants like Milton competed for customers in an increasingly crowded marketplace, and advertising tokens offered a novel way to keep their firm's name in daily circulation. Each transaction involving a Milton token reminded the recipient of the firm's existence and location. The Milton token series spans an unusually long period for a single merchant, with varieties dated from the early 1830s through the mid-1840s. This extended production history indicates a successful business that maintained its commercial activity through the Hard Times economic crisis — a testament to careful management during one of the worst economic downturns in early American history.

Rarity Notes

Common. Standard copper variety. Rarity R-1 to R-2.

Cross References

Rulau HT-163