New York, New York. 1868 B.T. Babbitt, Lion Coffee. Bowers NY-3600. Gilt brass. 34 mm. Choice Uncirc

New York, New York. 1868 B.T. Babbitt, Lion Coffee. Bowers NY-3600. Gilt brass. 34 mm. Choice Uncirculated.，Obverse: Liberty Head double eagle motif. Reverse: Pale lavender heavy card printed in black, in eight lines, LION / COFFEE / ONE OUNCE OF GOLD / GIVEN FOR EVERY OUNCE / OF ADULTERATION / FOUND IN MY COFFEE / B.T. BABBITT. / 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72 & 74 Washington St. N.Y. Exceptional surface on the shell, with full satiny gilding save for the cheek that has likely been lost to some collector handling. The card is superb otherwise, the back showing virtually no handling. Bright and very attractive. One of five to eight estimated known and the plate in the Bowers reference.<p>The 1868 city directory includes Benjamin T. Babbitt, with his wareroom address is on the shell card. His home was at 49 West 34th street. He dealt in soap, saleratus, potash, coffee, and other items. The 1872 directory lists him at 74 Washington Street and at an unspecified hotel at 44 West Street. Some years later the Lion Coffee name was used by the Woolson Spice Co. of Toledo, Ohio.<p>，Ex Q. David Bowers Collection.，