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Fri, Apr 24, 2026 09:00AM EDT
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![[SLAVERY] Slave Auctioneer Token, Wilbur of Charleston, South Carolina](https://s1.img.bidsquare.com/item/xl/3545/35450871.jpeg?t=1VTsff)
Lot 187
[SLAVERY] Slave Auctioneer Token, Wilbur of Charleston, South Carolina
Estimate: $250 - $500
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
W.W. Wilbur slave auctioneer trade token. Brass. Charleston, South Carolina, 1846. Diam. 27 mm. Miller SC-9; Chibbaro 1305-CZ.
Obverse depicts an auctioneer with a gavel at center with the concentric perimeter legends: "W.W. WILBUR, AUCTION & COMMISSION MERCHANT, 1846 / CHARLESTON. SO. CA. / GOING AT ONLY A PENNY." Reverse with a palmetto tree at center with the concentric perimeter legends: "MERCHANTS & MANUFACTURERS AGENG / COLLECTION BROKER. NOTARY PUBLIC &c."
William W. Wilbur was a well-known and aggressive auctioneer who operated in the pre-Civil War years in Charleston, South Carolina. While he dealt in all manner of goods, he notably sold enslaved men, women, and children. Tokens such as these were a common form of marketing one’s business or trade in the 19th century.
For a complete discussion of the several variants Wilbur tokens, please refer to the comprehensive article "Charleston's W.W. Wilbur Auctioneer Tokens" by Aaron Packard, published by Nova Numismatics.
[African Americana, African American History, Black History, Slavery, Enslavement, Abolition, Emancipation] [Currency, Tokens, Medals, Numismia, Numismatics, Exonumia, Bonds, Coins, Banknotes]
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