(1843) Token HT-378, Cleveland, a. Loomis OH

Coin Details

Description

This 1843 copper A. Loomis token variant from Cleveland, Ohio is a die variety in the extensive series advertising Loomis's wholesale and retail grocery at 34 Merwin Street. Abner Loomis dealt in groceries, fish, whisky, wines, and general provisions, operating a combined wholesale-retail establishment that served both individual households and smaller merchants throughout the Cleveland area. Merwin Street was in Cleveland's commercial district near the Cuyahoga River, convenient for receiving goods by lake steamer and canal boat. Loomis's business benefited from Cleveland's strategic position on Lake Erie at the northern terminus of the Ohio & Erie Canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Ohio River and points south. This dual transportation access made Cleveland an increasingly important distribution center for provisions and merchandise. The Loomis token series is one of the most extensive from Ohio, with varieties spanning multiple years, compositions, and die combinations. The sustained production reflects both Loomis's commercial success and the token medium's effectiveness as advertising in Cleveland's growing commercial economy.

Rarity Notes

Common. Standard copper variety from Cleveland OH. Rarity R-2.

Cross References

Rulau HT-378