(1859) Copper Token Rulau NY-932, Isaac Stevens Vanderbilt

Coin Details

Description

Copper merchant or personal token issued by or for Isaac Stevens Vanderbilt of New York, 1859. Despite sharing the famous Vanderbilt surname, Isaac Stevens Vanderbilt's precise relationship to the Cornelius Vanderbilt shipping and railroad dynasty has not been conclusively established. The token may represent a merchant's advertising piece or a personal calling-card token, both of which were popular in the 1850s among New York businessmen. The 1859 date places this on the eve of the Civil War. Copper, 25mm. The 1840s and 1850s saw merchant tokens evolve from simple trade pieces to more elaborate designs, as die sinkers like George H. Lovett and Robert Lovett Jr. elevated the craft. The presence of premier die sinkers in New York — including multiple generations of the Lovett family — established the city as the primary source for high-quality American merchant tokens. Collector interest in Rulau-cataloged tokens continues to grow as the series gains recognition beyond specialized exonumia circles.

Rarity Notes

Rare. New York personal or merchant token bearing the intriguing Vanderbilt name. The possible connection to the famous Vanderbilt family adds collector interest beyond its numismatic merits. Pre-Civil War New York personal tokens are scarce.

Cross References

Rulau NY-932; PCGS #838864