1846 Token Miller SC-7A Copper W.W. Wilbur

Coin Details

Description

W.W. Wilbur was a South Carolina merchant who issued an extensive series of tokens in 1846 (Miller SC-7A through SC-10) in copper and brass. Wilbur's multiple varieties make him one of the most prolific token issuers in the antebellum South, where merchant tokens were far less common than in the commercial centers of the Northeast. The tokens document commercial activity in South Carolina fifteen years before the Civil War. Copper was the workhorse metal of the American token industry, and this piece exemplifies the standard merchant store card format. The copper planchet accepted fine engraving detail and resisted corrosion, helping tokens survive decades of pocket carry. Cataloged as Miller SC-7A in the standard reference for American merchant tokens. The craftsmanship of merchant store card dies reflects the skill of 19th century American die sinkers, who produced detailed designs using hand-cut steel dies. Merchant store cards represent one of the most diverse collecting fields in American numismatics, spanning hundreds of merchants across dozens of states.

Rarity Notes

Copper striking, the standard metal for merchant tokens of this period. Miller SC-7A. Wilbur issued 4 known token varieties.

Cross References

Miller SC-7A