(1860) Copper Token Rulau Ma-Bo A71, Prince Edward Visit

Coin Details

Description

Copper commemorative token marking the visit of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), to Boston and other American cities in 1860. The Prince's American tour was a major diplomatic and social event, the first visit by a British heir apparent since the American Revolution. Edward visited Canada and the United States in September-October 1860, attending balls, receptions, and public celebrations in cities including Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Washington, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Commemorative tokens were produced in several cities to mark the occasion. Copper, 25mm. Tokens from the antebellum period circulated in an economy where small change shortages were a recurring problem, making merchant-issued pieces both advertisements and practical currency substitutes. Well-preserved examples of this token type are sought after by both exonumia specialists and collectors of American historical ephemera.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Commemorative token from the 1860 Prince of Wales American tour, a significant diplomatic event. Similar tokens were produced in other cities along Edward's route. Boston examples are scarcer than New York and Philadelphia issues. Collected by specialists in Anglo-American relations, British royal visit memorabilia, and Boston numismatica.

Cross References

Rulau Ma-Bo A71; PCGS #660476