1855 Token Miller Mass-30.5 Currier & Greeley

Coin Details

Description

Currier & Greeley were Massachusetts merchants whose token (Miller Mass-30.5) dates to 1855. The firm operated during a period when Massachusetts was a national leader in manufacturing, education, and reform movements. Their token is part of the smaller but significant body of New England merchant tokens documented in the Miller catalog. The copper composition provided excellent durability for everyday handling. Merchant tokens in copper circulated freely alongside federal cents, and the familiar reddish-brown metal ensured ready acceptance in local commerce. Cataloged as Miller Mass-30 in the standard reference for American merchant tokens. 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. The numismatic market for merchant store cards has grown steadily, with rare varieties commanding significant premiums at major auctions.

Rarity Notes

Copper striking, the standard metal for merchant tokens of this period. Miller Mass-30.

Cross References

Miller Mass-30