New York, New York. 1868 Haselmayer / Richards & Markt. Bowers NY-6320. Brass, silvered on reverse.

New York, New York. 1868 Haselmayer / Richards & Markt. Bowers NY-6320. Brass, silvered on reverse. 34 mm. Choice About Uncirculated.，Obverse: Liberty head double eagle motif, date below. Reverse: HASELMAYER / ESCAMOTEUR / AND / PROFESSOR / OF / MUSIC / MADE BY RICHARDS & MARKT / 55 MURRAY ST. N.Y. The obverse is bright golden brass and highly lustrous save for an area of very light oxidation that turned somewhat matte. Most of the original silvering remains on the reverse with light golden olive brass close to the rims. Sharp and nicely preserved.<p>Richards and Markt was a distributor of store cards, badges and other items, while T.N. Hickcox & Co. was the manufacturer of this and numerous other issues. Escamoteur means magician in French. This issue is listed as No. MT-154 in "Magicians Tokens and Related Items," F. William Kuethe, Jr., TAMS Journal, October 1978, there called "unique." A desirable magicians card and the Bowers plate. Counterstamps, tokens, and other magician items are a popular numismatic specialty. This would be a highlight in any such collection.，Ex Q. David Bowers Collection.，