(1895) Silvered Brass Token Rulau Phi-7, W.P. Buchanan

Coin Details

Description

Silvered brass token issued by W.P. Buchanan, a Philadelphia numismatic dealer and token specialist active in the 1890s. Buchanan was known in Philadelphia numismatic circles as a dealer in tokens, medals, and minor coins. His business catered to the growing collector market for American exonumia during the Gilded Age. Dealer tokens of this era served dual purposes as advertising for the business and as collectible items in their own right. The silvered brass finish gave the token an attractive silver-like appearance at lower cost. Not to be confused with David C. Buchan (Rulau NY-137), a different individual. Silvered brass, 22mm. Tokens from the Gilded Age document the explosion of consumer advertising in the 1880s and 1890s, when businesses competed aggressively for customers using every available medium including pocket-sized metal pieces. This piece is part of the diverse Rulau Miscellaneous series encompassing tokens that fall outside the major thematic categories.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Philadelphia numismatic dealer token from the Gilded Age. Dealer tokens are collected as a specialized category documenting the history of the coin trade itself. W.P. Buchanan's pieces are less common than those of better-known contemporaries like Edward Cogan or John Haseltine.

Cross References

Rulau Phi-7; PCGS #810148