1876 Token Miller NY-16 Bronze Roller Skating Association

Coin Details

Description

This 1876 bronze token (Miller NY-16) was issued by the Roller Skating Association during the roller skating craze that swept the United States in the 1870s and 1880s. Roller skating rinks were major entertainment venues in Gilded Age cities, attracting patrons from all social classes. The token served as an admission check or skating session pass and documents the commercial entertainment industry of post-Civil War New York. Bronze tokens provided a durable, attractive medium for merchant advertising. The alloy's resistance to corrosion and wear ensured the merchant's name and message remained legible through extended circulation. Cataloged as Miller NY-16 in the standard reference for American merchant tokens. Collecting merchant store cards has been an active pursuit since the Civil War era, with systematic cataloging beginning with Lyman Low's work in the 1890s and continuing through Miller's comprehensive reference. The numismatic market for merchant store cards has grown steadily, with rare varieties commanding significant premiums at major auctions.

Rarity Notes

Bronze striking. Durable alloy that preserved design details through circulation. Miller NY-16.

Cross References

Miller NY-16