(c.1850) Token Miller NY-510 Brass E. Lyon

Coin Details

Auction Record

$192 MS64 09-23-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

Emanuel Lyon was a Princeton-educated chemist who manufactured and sold pest control products from 424 Broadway in New York City. His signature product was "Lyon's Magnetic Powder & Pills for Insects & Rats," a widely advertised extermination compound. Lyon also sold "Lyon's Kathairon" hair preparation. His token (Miller NY-510) advertised the pest control business. Lyon was a successful entrepreneur who combined scientific training with aggressive marketing, placing advertisements in major newspapers and distributing tokens as promotional pieces throughout the city. Brass was a favored alternative to copper for merchant tokens, offering a warm golden tone that attracted attention. This brass striking would have stood out immediately in a handful of copper cents. Cataloged as Miller NY-510. Tokens of this type are collected both as numismatic objects and as historical documents of 19th century American business. Collector interest in merchant store cards has grown as the tokens are increasingly recognized as primary historical documents of 19th century commerce.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more commonly encountered metal variants for merchant tokens.

Cross References

Miller NY-510