(c.1850) Token Miller NY-151 Brass Chesebrough Stearns & Co.

Coin Details

Description

Chesebrough Stearns & Co. were commission merchants and importers operating in New York City during the 1850s. Commission merchants served as intermediaries in the wholesale trade, purchasing goods on behalf of retailers and earning commissions on transactions. The firm's tokens (Miller NY-151 and NY-154) reflect their position in New York's extensive mercantile network. The brass composition gave this token an attractive golden hue that distinguished it from copper coinage. Brass planchets were slightly more expensive than copper but produced a more visually striking advertising piece. Chesebrough Stearns & Co. issued 2 known token varieties. Cataloged as Miller NY-151. The craftsmanship of merchant store card dies reflects the skill of 19th century American die sinkers, who produced detailed designs using hand-cut steel dies. Merchant store cards represent one of the most diverse collecting fields in American numismatics, spanning hundreds of merchants across dozens of states.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more commonly encountered metal variants for merchant tokens. Chesebrough Stearns & Co. issued 2 known token varieties.

Cross References

Miller NY-151