1847 Token Miller NY-42 Gilt Brass Herr Alexander

Coin Details

Description

Herr Alexander was the stage name of Alexander Heimburger (1819-1909), a German-born professional magician who emigrated to America and became one of the most celebrated conjurers of the antebellum era. He performed for President James K. Polk at the White House and was later interviewed by Harry Houdini, who documented Alexander's career in his research on magic history. The gilt brass token (Miller NY-42) was produced with dies cut by Charles Cushing Wright, one of America's foremost die engravers. Alexander performed extensively across the United States from the 1840s through the 1860s, earning acclaim as one of the premier stage magicians in the country. This gilt piece features a gold wash that gave the token a luxurious appearance beyond its base metal composition. The gilding process added cost, and gilt merchant tokens are rarer than plain brass or copper issues. Cataloged as Miller NY-42. Authentication of merchant store cards relies on die characteristics, metal analysis, and provenance, as counterfeits of the rarest varieties exist.

Rarity Notes

Gilt pieces are somewhat scarcer than plain brass or copper versions, as the gilding process added cost to production.

Cross References

Miller NY-42