A Token of W.W. Wilbur of Charleston, S.C, issued in General Commerce at the value of one cent. This merchant token of W.W. Wilbur of Charleston, South Carolina is the same size as a U.S. large cent. They were issued as a way of advertising W.W. Wilbur’s diversified business in antebellum south. Wilbur’s businesses were in auctioning, commissions-merchant, merchant’s and manufacturer’s agency, collection brokering, also as a notary public. Pursuant to surviving specimens that exist in today's numismatic marketplace it is probable that W.W. Wilbur had thousands of these tokens minted. And based on the number of differing varieties in existence, it is also most probable that the tokens were minted over a period of several years. In recent years the demand for these tokens seems to have increased. Many numismatists theorize it is because it seems that Wilbur also, unfortunately, participated in the auctioning of slaves. Only one variety of specimen has been identified as being of a silver-colored composition, and also having a specific combination of the obverse and reverse as shown. Such specimens are Adams/Miller 8B, Rulau SC8B - Period after CA obverse, “Bushy Tree” reverse attribution; Die pairing 2-B struck in a white metal alloy. It is surmised that the silver-colored composition consists of [,or includes] German silver. Note that these photos were provided by the seller. Thoughts and input appreciated. - CheetahCats
I'm not particularly interested in him as a person - quite frankly the business that he practiced in disgusts me. The only aspect of this particular numismatic specimen that intrigued me is the [unfortunate] history behind it.
Cheetah, it is probably lost on most folks that this fellow conducted slave auctions as a part of his business. As for the history, however unfortunate, is a part of our history as a country and at the time was a legal and profitable business, thus providing him the necessity and capital to produce such a token. "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it." This makes this piece and its history vital to a full understanding of our past and the peaceful preservation of our future. Very nice token.
