(1859) Token Miller NY-189 Copper John K. Curtis

Coin Details

Description

John K. Curtis was one of New York's earliest coin and token dealers, active in the late 1850s when numismatic collecting was emerging as a popular American hobby. His tokens (Miller NY-177 through NY-189) served as both advertisements for his business and as collectible pieces in their own right. Curtis was part of a small but growing community of New York numismatists who helped establish the foundations of organized coin collecting in America. 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 NY-189 in the standard reference for American merchant tokens. Merchant store cards from this period served dual purposes: as advertising for the issuing business and as practical small change during periods when federal coinage was scarce or inconvenient.

Rarity Notes

Copper striking, the standard metal for merchant tokens of this period. Miller NY-189. Curtis issued 3 known token varieties.

Cross References

Miller NY-189