(1840s) Token HT-381B, Cleveland, a. Loomis OH

Coin Details

Description

This 1840s copper A. Loomis token is a further variant in the Cleveland grocer's series, advertising the wholesale and retail grocery business at 34 Merwin Street. The extensive number of Loomis varieties — spanning HT-377 through HT-381D across standard strikes, composition variants, and striking errors — creates one of the most complex merchant token series from any Ohio issuer. Loomis's grocery business thrived during a transformative period in Cleveland's history. The city was growing from a population of roughly 6,000 in 1840 to over 17,000 by 1850, driven by the expansion of lake commerce, canal trade, and the arrival of railroad connections. Each new resident represented a potential customer for Loomis's provisions, and the token advertising program helped ensure that new arrivals learned of his establishment quickly. The variety and volume of Loomis tokens in the numismatic marketplace indicates substantial production runs — tens of thousands of tokens across all varieties. This production volume is consistent with Loomis's wholesale business, which generated the revenues needed to support an extensive advertising program.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Standard copper variant from Cleveland OH. Rarity R-3.

Cross References

Rulau HT-381B