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. 

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