(1855) New York M-Ny-803 Ny Ms

Coin / United States of America / 1855 / Unknown / Merchant Tokens - Rulau / Other / Varied

The coin in question is a merchant token from the Rulau series, specifically dated to the year 1855 and originating from the United States of America. Merchant tokens were often issued by businesses as a means of facilitating transactions in the absence of government-issued currency, particularly during times of economic hardship or when official currency was in short supply. This specific token falls under the category of "Other / Varied" denomination, indicating that it may not correspond directly to any standard monetary unit but rather served a localized or specific purpose. Its production is noted as a "Mint Strike," signifying that it was produced under controlled circumstances in a mint rather than being hand-struck or created through less formal methods. Due to the stated properties, both the diameter and weight are listed as '0', suggesting that specific details may be unknown or unrecorded. This can often be the case with tokens, as they may not have standardized measurements like official coins. Additionally, the mint where the token was produced is classified as "Unknown," which is common for many merchant tokens from this era, as they often lacked official minting records. Lastly, the mintage is also shown as '0', which can imply a lack of available records on how many tokens were produced or could possibly indicate that the minting was so limited that no figures have been documented. In summary, this 1855 merchant token from the Rulau series represents a unique piece of American numismatic history, likely tied to a specific merchant or community, and stands as a testament to the diverse forms of currency that circulated in the United States during the 19th century. Its rarity and the obscured details surrounding it can make it a valuable item for collectors of both tokens and American historical artifacts.