(1905) Copper Token MT-022, Samri S. Baldwin

Coin Details

Description

Copper advertising token for Samri S. Baldwin (January 21, 1848 - March 13, 1924), a celebrated stage magician, hypnotist, and world traveler who performed under the title 'The White Mahatma.' Born Samuel Spencer Baldwin in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the first to take the "question and answer" mentalism act to the stage and is credited with performing handcuff escapes on stage before Houdini. Baldwin toured extensively throughout the United States, Asia, and the Pacific Islands from the 1870s through the early 1900s, performing elaborate magic shows and hypnotic demonstrations while exposing the tricks of fraudulent spirit mediums. His 1905 token served as an advertising piece and souvenir distributed at performances. Baldwin died at his home in San Francisco. Copper, 28mm. Gilded Age commerce embraced tokens as advertising tools, with merchants commissioning increasingly elaborate designs that reflected the era's emphasis on visual branding and consumer appeal.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Advertising token for one of the most colorful stage performers of the Gilded Age. Samri S. Baldwin's 'White Mahatma' persona and exotic world travels made him a unique figure in American entertainment history. Magician tokens and medals form a specialized collecting category.

Cross References

; PCGS #595152