W.W. Wilbur slave auctioneer trade token. German silver. Charleston, South Carolina, 1846. Diam. 27 mm. Miller SC-8B; Chibbaro 1305-CW.

ONE OF ONLY 3 KNOWN EXAMPLES IN GERMAN SILVER.

Obverse depicts an auctioneer with gavel at center with the concentric perimeter legends: "W.W. Wilbur, Auction & Commission Merchant, 1846 / Charleston. So.Ca.". Reverse with a palmetto tree at center with the concentric perimeter legends: "Merchants & Manufacturers Agent / 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.  

Cast in German silver, this is one of the rarest examples of a Wilbur token. For a complete discussion of 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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