(1860) Token Miller Pa-510 Copper A.B. Taylor

Coin Details

Auction Record

$204 MS65RB 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Alfred Bower Taylor (1824-1898) was a druggist and apothecary in Philadelphia, operating first at the northeast corner of Walnut and 11th Streets, and later at 1015 Chestnut Street. Taylor was a founding member of the Philadelphia Numismatic Society and an active participant in the city's numismatic community. His tokens (Miller Pa-510) in copper and copper-nickel reflected his dual interests in pharmacy and coin collecting. The copper-nickel variety is notable as this alloy had only recently been adopted by the U.S. Mint for the Flying Eagle and Indian Head cents, making it a relatively novel material for private token production. 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 Pa-510 in the standard reference for American merchant tokens. This token type is part of a broader tradition of private American coinage stretching from colonial times through the Civil War era.

Rarity Notes

Copper striking, the standard metal for merchant tokens of this period. Miller Pa-510.

Cross References

Miller Pa-510