Description:

Six Satirical 1834-1838 Hard Times Tokens Criticizing Andrew Jackson

A fantastic group of six copper Hard Times tokens dating from the late 1830s-1840s. All measure approximately 1.125" in diameter, n.p., dated 1837-1841. Featuring various political and satirical images in opposition to Andrew Jackson. All with varying degrees of wear, rubbing, scratching, and patina. Very good overall. Includes:

1. 1838 Hard Times Token, Benton Experiment. Featuring an irregular depiction of Liberty with "LOCO FOCO" printed on her headband. The reverse reads: "BENTON EXPERIMENT/MINT DROP."

2. 1841 Hard Times Token, Liberty. Meant to appear similar to the U.S. One Cent coin, featuring a bust of Liberty with a laurel crown instead of a headband reading "Liberty." The reverse reads: "MILLIONS FOR DEFENCE NOT ONE CENT FOR TRIBUTE" to avoid counterfeiting.

3. 1837 Hard Times Token, Liberty. Meant to appear similar to the U.S. One Cent coin, featuring a bust of Liberty with a laurel crown instead of a headband reading "Liberty." The reverse is the same as above.

4. 1837 Hard Times Token, Executive Financiering. Depicting a turtle carrying a large safe with the words "EXECUTIVE FINANCIERING/FISCAL AGENT." The reverse shows a running jackass, reading " I FOLLOW IN THE STEPS OF MY ILLUSTRIOUS PREDECESSOR."

5. 1837 Hard Times Token, Executive Experiment. Depicting a turtle carrying a large safe with the words "EXECUTIVE EXPERIMENT/FISCAL AGENT." The reverse is the same as above.

6. 1834-1837 Hard Times Token, Jackson "I Take The Responsibility." Showing Andrew Jackson emerging from a safe holding a sword and a money pouch. Reading "I TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY." The reverse shows a jackass labeled "ROMAN FIRMNESS", surrounded by the words "THE CONSTITUTION AS I UNDERSTAND IT."

These "Hard Times" tokens were issued during the period known as the “Panic of 1837.” In an attempt to control the rampant inflation affecting the country during the early to mid-1830s, President Jackson sought to abolish the Second Bank of the United States and the bank's charter in 1832. Without the national bank, state banks began to issue their own paper notes, causing inflation. In his attempts to halt inflation, Jackson only provoked an economic crisis, with people hoarding coins and causing a depression. In protest to Jackson's actions, private citizens minted their own coins known as "Hard Times Tokens", which were issued between 1832 and 1844 and featured a variety of political and satirical images. In 1837, the Waterbury firm of J.M.L. and W.H. Scovill, operated by brothers James and William Scovill, produced a series of copper tokens to satirize both Jackson and his successor, Martin Van Buren.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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May 31, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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