Found a coin yesterday I believe to be a hard times token. It's the size of a large cent with an image similar to the coronet style liberty, although the word liberty is not on the image. The front is surrounded by a wreath and has the words e pluribus unum in a small banner at the top. The date is 1841 at the bottom. The reverse has the words "May Tenth 1837" in the center the 37 is practically obliterated as if on purpose. I suspect the wrong date was placed on the die and someone did a botched job of fixing it. The central words are surrounded by the words Specie Payments Suspended around the rim.

As I say, I'm pretty positive it's a hard times token. But does anyone know the significance of the date and words on the back? Was some banking bill enacted on that day which allowed banks to deny payment in gold and silver? Any help from you historians out there would be appreciated.

• Re: id hard times token Dave CA 11:18:51 8/19/99 (0)