(1850's) Token Miller SC-3 & Mich-10 Brass Mule Haviland Stevenson / Foster & Parry

Coin Details

Description

Haviland, Stevenson & Co. were wholesale druggists in Charleston, South Carolina, established around 1825. The firm was one of the most prominent drug wholesalers in the antebellum South, serving pharmacists and physicians throughout the region. Their copper token (Miller SC-3) features an eagle perched on a mortar and pestle, the traditional symbol of pharmacy. The token is one of the few merchant pieces from South Carolina, reflecting the state's smaller commercial token tradition compared to Northern cities. Charleston was the commercial capital of the Lower South. This brass piece demonstrates the metal's popularity among token issuers seeking a premium appearance without the cost of precious metals. The golden brass alloy caught the eye and reinforced the merchant's brand. Haviland, Stevenson & Co. issued 2 known token varieties. Cataloged as Miller SC-3. This token type is part of a broader tradition of private American coinage stretching from colonial times through the Civil War era.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more commonly encountered metal variants for merchant tokens. Haviland, Stevenson & Co. issued 2 known token varieties.

Cross References

Miller SC-3