1834 Hard Times Token and 11c from 1876 at a Long Island Campground

[SMS88]

I've been away from the forums and out MDing this summer. I finally found a nice spot on the north fork: an old religious campground which now has cottages. On my last few trips I have found 3 silver dimes, 2 IHs and a 26 buffalo , clad, wheats, and 2 more indians, but last week was the best.On sunday I missed the rare 1877 Indian by one year, but it is still a nice consolation being in VF albiet a little green. I searched a hard as concrete dirt road and found my second seated dime ever, another 1876. But what really amazed me was this hard times token found Thursday. I thought I had finally got a large cent, but it was something even rarer. One side says PERISH CREDIT PERISH COMMERCE MY VICTORY MY THIRD HEAD DOWN WITH THE BANK 1834 ,the side that is hard to see says MY SUBSITUTE FOR THE U.S. BANK MY EXPERIMENT MY CURRENCY MY GLORY Some people must have been really angry about Andrew Jackson's decision to do away with the national bank that year. Anyway what a nice summer. I return to the Culinary Institute where I found a bunch of indians, and now that I've got 21 this year so far, maybe I can get to 30

 

[SilverDreams]

Great finds! That Hard Times token is pretty awesome!

 

[Jayson]

Nice finds, great hard times token too.

 

[tymcmurray]

Great story and photos.
Good luck on the 30.

 

[KenPa]

Fantastic finds

 

[goldencoin]

I love that token- sweet finds

HH
-GC

 

[Giant056]

Great hunting at a fantastic spot !!!!!!!!!!!! you sure found a great bunch of coins there and that hard times token is Sweet !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Don in SJ]

To find a Hard Times token is a pleasure, congratulations and I hope the next large one is your first large cent..........

Don

 

[Woodsie]

Nice finds...That Andrew Jackson large is worth $5,750 in very fine condition. Dont know the condition of yours but I would have it checked out...Congrats

Woodsie

 

[EARTHWORKS]

WOW sms you are on to something good there! Great photos and great finds.
When are you coming back home to show me how its done
Go Isles!
Earthworks...

 

[Don In South Jersey]

You have 1 fine spot there, great finds...

 

[Mona Lisa]

Wow, SMS.....That token is a prize! I think I've seen one on tnet before...did a search...but couldn't find it.

You've had a great week!

 

[Ridley]

You found some excellent coins there!

That token takes the cake though. There's a lot of history in that find!


Congratulations!




Ridley

 

[Nana40]

Welcome back! Looks like you had a great summer of finds! Love the token! 8)

Nana

 

[Admiral de Salee]

How much fun was it to dig up something as rare and wonderful as that 1834 token?
You'll get an updraft from that one for months..

 

[diggummup]

Nice finds! Your HTT is known as Jacksons "Running Boar" token. It's listed in Russell Rulau's revision of Lyman H. Low's 1899 reference of Hard Times Tokens as Lows number 8 or maybe 10, it's hard to tell from the photo. It is copper right?
Running Boar / Jackson Token

1834 Hard Times Token,28mm copper. Low's 10


Hard Times Token History and Significance


Hard Times tokens depict the difficult period in the financial history of the United States where President Jackson in his campaign of 1832 opposed to the Second Bank of the United States. This central bank in Philadelphia was said by opponents to control the money supply in favor of the wealthy merchants and populist Jackson vowed to abolish it. The bank issued its own currency, which quickly became the most stable paper money in the land. When Jackson was reelected the tried to abolish the bank and in 1837, he was finally successful. In the meantime, Nicholas Biddle (president of the bank) tightened the money supply leading to a financial panic. By 1837, over 100 banks had gone under and small change necessary for commerce began to disappear. Tokens were issued to solve the need and were often satirical and/or political in nature.

 

[SMS88]

thanks for the reply. I think the composition is copper or bronze, but it does not weigh exactly as a large cent

 

[Evolution]

That token is freakin awesome. And an 1876 seated dime to boot. Incredible. Looks like you got yourself a rare find there. Congrats!

 

[diggummup]

thanks for the reply. I think the composition is copper or bronze, but it does not weigh exactly as a large cent

It would be either copper, brass, silvered copper, silvered brass or gilt brass. The copper variety should weigh a little less than as an LC or between 9 and 10 grams and the brass varieties weigh between 8 and 9 grams I believe. My Low 8 copper variety weighs 9.37 grams give or take a few hundredths.

 

[panzermeyer]

Wow !!! Nice old hard times token !!!!God Bless and HH...Panz