(1833-5) Token HT-280A, New York NY

Coin Details

Description

This 1833-1835 copper token is a variant in the B. Hooks series from 276 Broome Street in New York City. Benjamin Hooks operated a retail establishment in lower Manhattan, issuing tokens that featured a distinctive portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the obverse — an unusual choice that replaced the standard Liberty Head design used by most merchant token issuers. Franklin's image conveyed associations of practical wisdom, thrift, and commercial enterprise. The Hooks token varieties (HT-280 through HT-281A) share the Franklin obverse design but differ in reverse die details and specific die state characteristics. The consistent use of Franklin's portrait across multiple die varieties indicates this was a deliberate branding choice rather than an accident of die availability — Hooks specifically selected Franklin to represent his business identity. Broome Street in the 1830s was part of the rapidly developing commercial district north of Canal Street, where retail shops and small manufacturers competed for the patronage of the neighborhood's growing population. Hooks' location at 276 Broome placed him in a busy retail corridor that served both local residents and through-traffic moving between the Bowery and the Hudson River waterfront.

Rarity Notes

Common. Standard copper variety with Franklin obverse. Rarity R-2.

Cross References

Rulau HT-280A