(1850s) Token Miller NY-656 Brass Stephen Richardson

Coin Details

Description

Stephen Richardson was a New York City merchant whose brass token (Miller NY-656) dates to the 1850s. The Richardson name appears in both New York and Philadelphia merchant token series, though whether the two Richardsons were related or merely shared a common surname is uncertain. Richardson's token circulated during the late antebellum period when New York City was the undisputed commercial capital of the United States, with thousands of merchants, importers, and retailers operating in Lower Manhattan. Brass was a favored alternative to copper for merchant tokens, offering a warm golden tone that attracted attention. This brass striking would have stood out immediately in a handful of copper cents. Cataloged as Miller NY-656. Collecting merchant store cards has been an active pursuit since the Civil War era, with systematic cataloging beginning with Lyman Low's work in the 1890s and continuing through Miller's comprehensive reference.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more commonly encountered metal variants for merchant tokens.

Cross References

Miller NY-656