(c.1850) Token Miller NY-841 Brass Strassburger & Nuhn NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$360 MS64DMPL 09-02-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Strassburger & Nuhn were German-American importers located at the intersection of Maiden Lane and William Street in New York City. The firm specialized in spielmarken (gaming counters) and their tokens closely resemble $20 double eagle gold coins in design, a common spielmarken convention. Their brass token (Miller NY-841) served the dual purpose of advertising their importing business and functioning as a sample of their gaming counter products. The firm was part of the cluster of German importers along Maiden Lane who dominated the toy, novelty, and gaming goods trade in mid-century New York. Struck in brass, this token presented a distinctive golden color that set it apart from the standard copper cent. Merchants who chose brass planchets benefited from the eye-catching appearance while keeping production costs low. Cataloged as Miller NY-841. This token type is part of a broader tradition of private American coinage stretching from colonial times through the Civil War era.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

Miller NY-841