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The big ones are still out there raw... Finest known Cajun style discovery

1849 Cyrus Yale, Jr. & Company, New Orleans, Louisiana , Low-289 / Miller L-51 / Wright-1289, Rarity-7 (4-12 Known), Brass , 28mm Diameter, Gem BU.

The following is the finest known example of this classic Louisiana token rarity which was first mentioned in Charles Ira Bushnell’s 1858 book titled “An Arrangement of Tradesman's Cards, Political Tokens, Election Medals”. Once considered a Hard Times era merchant store card issue circa 1841 it has been re-dated to 1849 as C. Yale, Jr. & Co. was not found in any prior New Orleans business directory .

This newly acquired previously unknown example is fresh to the market after having resided within the holdings of the same family for 4 generations. Originally collected by the great-grandfather and passed down to his son. The son now grandfather passed away a few years ago in his mid 90’s. His father’s token collection was just discovered a few years later in the inherited house carefully placed in a mason jars, and hid among others containing screws, washer, bolts stored on a workbench.

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Beyond Bushnell this token was covered in the following publications -

Dr. Benjamin P. Wright in his 1901 book titled “The American Store or Business Cards” considered it Very Rare and assigned it a Rarity-7 level along with his number Wright-1289 non plated line drawing supplied.

Edgar H. Adams in his 1920 book titled "U.S. Store Cards" listed it as Rare non plated and assigned the number 51 to it for Louisiana.

Wayte Raymond in his 1940 book titled "United States Coins and Tokens" called it Rare non plated line drawing supplied.

Donald M. Miller in his 1962 book titled “A Catalogue Of U.S. Store Cards or Merchant Tokens” considered it Rare non plated.

Russell Rulau had it listed in his 1st edition volume of his book titled "Hard Times Token 1832-1844" as 1841 dated Low-289 Rarity-7.


The Dice/Hicks example plated below with a scan from the actual catalog to date has been the finest known example of this rarity.
It was considered Uncirculated by Stack’s in 2008 and also Brilliant Uncirculated when Stack’s offered the same toknen in the 1989 Steinberg sale.

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Below is a list of other known examples once in major collections sold at auction in the last few decades including Charles Bushnell's own example –

Charles I. Bushnell collection sale Chapman Brothers 6/20/1882 Lot # 1127 VG Dented.

John L. Roper collection sale Stack’s 3/20/1984 Lot # 453 EF.

Julian Liedman collection sale Bowers and Merena 4/12/1986 Lot # 4627 EF – Ex: Roper 1984.

Lionel L. Rudduck collection sale Bowers and Merena 3/29/1989 Lot # 3132 AU50 obv & rev scratches.

Lionel L. Rudduck collection sale Bowers and Merena 11/6/1989 Lot # 3174 EF.

Robert Lindersmith collection sale Bowers and Merena 3/23/2000 Lot # 1206 VF.

Gilbert Steinberg collection sale Stack’s 10/17/1989 Lot # 418 BU.

Gilber Steinberg collection sale Bowers and Merena 11/6/2002 Lot # 5504 EF reverse scratches.

Hoosier collection sale PCAC 3/20/99 Lot # 125 VF - although not mentioned it looks corroded based on plates.

Charles Litman collection sale PCAC 12/6/2003 Lot # 136 VF - although not mentioned based on plates it looks like the same example in the Hoosier sale.

Dice/Hicks collection sale Stack’s 7/28/08 Lot # 3298 Unc - Ex: Steinberg 1989.


Info on Cyrus Yale:

Born in New Hartford Conn May 25 1818 Cyrus Yale married Martha West in Rochester New York and shortly after ventured south. Mr. Yale was already a prominent merchant in New Orleans in the 1840 located on 17, 19, & 21 Magazine Street with now remaining partner John Bowling. Formally the Peet,Yale, & Bowling Company established in 1837 as distributors of wholesale dry goods and notions. Yale & Bowling stocked the best and latest supply of fine fancy goods manufactured in eastern cities and Europe south of Chicago. Sales not only included the gulf states but also Mexico and Central America.The Yale & Bowling partnership was never dissolved as it's still listed in a 1889 directory. In 1849 based on directory information Cyrus Yale opened another location at 27 Magazine Street under the business name of C. Yale, Jr. & Co. which was later managed by his son up until 1859. Mr. Yale at the time of the civil war ran the blockade and sailed for Paris in 1861 to join his family who had preceded him. Mr. Yale remained in France until 1869 prior to returning to America. His wife died abroad and Mr. Yale died in New York Dec 26 1889 survived by four children.

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To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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