(1835) Token HT-135A, Baltimore MD

Coin Details

Description

This token variant is attributed to James Cole of Fells Point, Baltimore's primary maritime commercial district. Fells Point was where merchant ships docked and cargo was transferred from ocean-going vessels to smaller craft navigating the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The neighborhood's wharves, warehouses, and chandleries formed the economic engine of Baltimore's port operations during the 1830s. Cole's business in Fells Point served the maritime community—ship captains, sailors, dock workers, and the merchants who handled imported and exported goods. The area's taverns, boarding houses, and shops catered to a transient population that arrived and departed with the shipping schedules, creating a distinctive commercial environment quite different from the more settled retail districts of Baltimore's central business area. The estimated original mintage of 750–1,250 pieces for the Cole token series indicates a modest production run typical of smaller merchants. The variant designation (HT-135A versus HT-135) reflects differences in die state, edge type, or metal that distinguish this piece from the primary issue. An unlisted pewter variety also exists, indicating experimental or late-production strikes in alternative metals.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Estimated mintage 750-1,250. Fells Point maritime district merchant.

Cross References

Rulau HT-135A