(1858-60) Token Miller IL-4 Brass Baker & Moody Hatters

Coin Details

Description

Baker & Moody were hatters at 164 Lake Street in Chicago, Illinois. Lake Street was the primary commercial thoroughfare in antebellum Chicago, lined with retail establishments serving the rapidly growing city. Their brass token (Miller IL-4) advertised the hat-making business during a period when Chicago was emerging as the commercial capital of the Upper Midwest, driven by railroad construction and the grain trade that made it one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. 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 IL-4. American merchant tokens represent an important chapter in the economic history of the United States, documenting the businesses, products, and commercial practices of the 19th century. Authentication of merchant store cards relies on die characteristics, metal analysis, and provenance, as counterfeits of the rarest varieties exist.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Miller IL-4