(c.1850) Token Miller NY-383 Gilt Bronze Jennings Wheeler & Co.

Coin Details

Description

Jennings Wheeler & Co. were dry goods merchants in New York City, part of the massive textile and clothing trade that dominated the city's commercial economy. Multiple token varieties (Miller NY-380 and NY-383) in brass and gilt bronze indicate active token distribution. The dry goods trade was the largest sector of American retail commerce in the antebellum period, and New York served as the national distribution center. 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-383 in the standard reference for American merchant tokens. American merchant tokens represent an important chapter in the economic history of the United States, documenting the businesses, products, and commercial practices of the 19th century. Merchant store cards represent one of the most diverse collecting fields in American numismatics, spanning hundreds of merchants across dozens of states.

Rarity Notes

Bronze striking. Durable alloy that preserved design details through circulation. Miller NY-383. Jennings Wheeler & Co. issued 3 known token varieties.

Cross References

Miller NY-383