1853 Token Miller NY-949 H.B. West's Trained Dogs New York

Coin Details

Description

Henry B. West (1832-1888) was an Ohio-based itinerant peddler with a physical disability who became locally famous for traveling with a dog-drawn cart pulled by his trained dogs Tray and Troy. West sold small goods from his cart across Ohio and neighboring states, becoming a well-known character in the communities he visited. His tokens (Miller NY-949 and NY-949A) feature a dog motif reflecting his distinctive mode of transportation. The obverse shares a die with the Crystal Palace token, suggesting production during or around the time of the 1853 Crystal Palace Exhibition in New York City. West is an example of the colorful itinerant merchants who were fixtures of mid-nineteenth-century American commercial life. 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. H.B. West (Henry B. West) issued 2 known token varieties. Cataloged as Miller NY-949.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more commonly encountered metal variants for merchant tokens. H.B. West (Henry B. West) issued 2 known token varieties.

Cross References

Miller NY-949