Hard times tokens were minted privately, mostly out of copper, from 1832 to 1844, even though the actual economic depression for which these tokens are. Their political and commercial motifs are diverse, reflecting the. These specialized coin books explore the primary united states tokens, including the colonial, merchant, hard times, transportation, trade, civil war, and gay nineties tokens. American political and commercial tokens of the 1830s and 1840s q. He has added many new items over the years with each new addition. This site also contains a large amount of reference material about hard times tokens. These privately made pieces, comprising merchant, political and satirical pieces, were used during a time of political and financial crisis in the united states. Hard times tokens, pieces relating to political sentiments or bearing the advertisement of merchants circa 1833 to 1844, have been collectors favorites for well over a century. A guide book of hard times tokens collector bookstore. Getting started collecting hard times tokens coinage.
The store cards need and will receive a serious and studied treatment in separate subsequent works. Hard times is an indictment of the values of 19th century industrial england. The series is so broad, varied, and with so many rare pieces, its almost impossible to ever build a complete collection. We specialize in price guides and reference books for the antiques and collectibles industry. Hard times tokens have been featured in the red book since 1946. Indexes and supplements highlight rarity and merchants names. Find hard times tokens 18321844 0873414144 by russell rulau. Hard times tokens by low, lyman and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Lyman low wrote the first book about hard times tokens in 1899 and numbered the types roughly in the order in which he discovered them.
Hard times tokens have always fascinated me for their political messages and because they were also a form of necessity money these tokens were actually used in daily commerce for a relatively extended period, thus carrying their sometimes ephemeral messages far and wide, often after the message contained on them had any current relevance. Hard times tokens are privately issued mostly copper large cent sized tokens that were produced from 1833 to 1844. The most complete catalog ever assembled of the coin substitures, merchant counterstamps and satirical scrip of the jacksonian period russell rulau on. L44, ht69, a hard times token from the panic of 1837, depicting andrew jackson and a trunk. The standard reference manual for this series is hard times tokens 18321834 by russell rulau. Hard times token millions for defence not one cent for tribute. Buy hard times tokens, 18321844 by russell rulau online at alibris. Hard times tokens were first issued around 1837 in response to economic turmoil and to protest the actions of bankers and the government. To me this was a fascinating period of us history because. Hard times tokens were both efforts to bridge the coinage gap brought on by jacksons hard money silver and gold policies which deeply neglected the needs of the economy for smaller denomination coinage and as business calling cards and political propaganda. Hard times tokens are fully described with history and background of the political, satirical, sarcastic messages, etc. Most tokens are priced in multiple grades with important auction prices realized. It is by far the shortest of dickens novels, barely a quarter of the length of those written immediately before and after it.
He expertly covers the history of these fascinating collectibles, and catalogs them with detailed information for sellers, buyers, historians, and researchers. The tokens of this period have been the subject of several books the current standard reference is hard times tokens by russell rulau, second edition and bring the highest prices of any american tokens after the colonial period. Hard times tokens, or jackson cents, mark a period of peculiar interest in the numismatic history of the united states. Us hard times token low 51 andrew jackson i take the responsibility 1837 vf, 2 photo 1834 s. Collector bookstore is a retailer of new books located in leavenworth, kansas. It was the adolescence of america the jacksonian period before the civil war. Whitman publishing announces the release of a guide book of hard times tokens, by q.
American political and commercial tokens of the 1830s and 1840s. With a comprehensive us token book, youll access background information and vivid photographs on an expansive array of tokens. Hard times tokens are american large or half centsized copper tokens, struck from about 1833 through 1843, serving as unofficial currency. The title of this book is the standard catalog of hard times tokens 18321844 and it was written by russell rulau. Hard times 1854 thomas gradgrind is an educator who believes only in the demonstrable fact. Hard times tokens rulau price guide and values ngc.
David bowers, hard times tokens, and the art of numismatic writing by dennis tucker, whitman publishing. Get the best deals on hard times tokens when you shop the largest online selection at. The book surveys english society and satirises the social and economic conditions of the era. Hard times token book 18321844 is a very good guide with values for very good,very fine and extra fine easy to check tokens out. Auction lot counts and record prices for coin varieties of hard times tokens 18241860. Hard times tokens, 18321844 by russell rulau alibris. Tams members receive a discount on all inprint books. His eighth edition is contained in the third edition of the standard catalog of united states tokens 17001900 also from krause. Hard times token 1834 down with the bank my substitute for us bank. Julius huber, part i of the collection of the late mr. Hard times tokens rarity scale r1 common r2 less common r3 scarce r4 estimated 76200 specimens survive r5 estimated 3175 specimens survive r6 estimated 30 specimens survive r7 estimated 412 specimens survive r8 estimated 2 or 3 specimens survive r9 unique only one known speedy.
A catalog of the unofficial coinage of america from the end of the hard times era to the eve of the civil war author. Other a guide book of hard times tokens american political and commercial tokens of the 1830s and 1840s by q. Hard times tokens for sale ancient coins and collectibles. American political and commercial tokens of the 1830s and 1840s guide book of hard times tokens includes recent research findings, hundreds of highresolution images, and current market pricing in multiple grades.
He expertly covers the history of these fascinating collectibles, and catalogs them with detailed information for sellers, a guide book of hard times tokens. Privately minted hard times tokens are tangible reminders of a turbulent period in america. A guide book of hard times tokens by q david bowers alibris. Using daves upcoming guide book of hard times tokens as a case study, dennis provides unique insight into the work of americas most prolific numismatic author. Hard times tokens 18321844 0873414144 by russell rulau. Hard times tokens 1828 1848 coins for sale on collectors corner, the collectibles marketplace, where you can buy safely from the worlds top coins dealers. A guide book of hard times tokens whitman publishing. It was published by krause pubns inc and has a total of 224 pages in the book. May 02, 2019 the strange story of hard time tokens. Hard times token book by dave bowers 2015 312 pages. Auction listings of civil war tokens, hard times tokens and sutler tokens by steve hayden. Getting started collecting hard times tokens coinage magazine.
These socalled hard times tokens are distinct from the merchant tokens store cards issued during the hard times era, which have no direct political reference or neutral specie see neutral specie substitutes discussed later motif. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite reads in more than a dozen categories. They were privately minted pieces with odd phrases and comedic portraits. Hardtimes tokens are american large or half centsized copper tokens, struck from about 1833 through 1843, serving as unofficial currency. Hard times tokens are tangible reminders of a turbulent time in america. Hardtimes tokens are american large or half centsized copper tokens, struck from about 1833. Since the first edition of hard times tokens was published in 1980, his books on tokens and medals have won three gold, three silver and two bronze cataloging medals of the token and medal society tams, as well as four top book awards from the numismatic literary guild. Those bearing popular satirical and political maxims of the period. Guide book of hard times tokens includes recent research findings, hundreds of highresolution images, and current market pricing in multiple grades. Boards have some stains, has some fraying at top and base of spine, and the front board has some damage to lower outer corner. Janies was the more active politically running for state senator three times.
Top outer corner of each odd numbered page has stamp signature of j. Im not a purist who only collects the original 183 tokens in lyman lows second listing. Comment below if there is anything youd like to see a video about. The political parties were just sorting themselves out. While reading about hard times tokens or browsing auction listings, you will see low numbers and ht numbers. Listed below are those that are currently available. Hard times tokens 18321844 61 satirical issues 63 merchant issues 66 civil war tokens 18601865 68 encased postage stamps. Hard times tokens hard times tokens were privately minted tokens. Hard times tokens, important tokens, medals, and americana. Now, collectors finally have an expanded, fullcolor catalog to these remarkable pieces of american history. Hard times tokens were minted privately, mostly out of copper, from 1832 to 1844, even though the actual economic depression for which these tokens are named didnt take place until 1837, when banks began suspending specie payments, or the exchange of gold and silver coins for paper money.
End page has two coin rubbings, numbered 184 by hand. Those having reference to the controversy about the united states bank. Made mostly out of copper from 1832 to as late as 1844 it should be noted that the actual financial crisis that occurred during this hard times, did not take place until 1837. The first book length treatment of these early examples of american advertising tokens. He raises his children, louisa and thomas, in a grim materialistic atmosphere that adversely affects their entire lives. Sometimes called merchant tokens, sometimes called good fors, trade tokens in the united states go back to the late 18th century, when event tokens were produced for circus acts and other performances it is thought that george washington used a copper token to see bill ricketts perform tricks on horses. Hard times for these times commonly known as hard times is the tenth novel by charles dickens, first published in 1854. His work is based on a book from the 1899 by lyman h. To me, collecting hard times tokens represents the ultimate collecting challenge. The constitute a distinct group of political pieces and, along with the advertising pieces, or shop cards, they were used for a time as necessity money. Jul 17, 20 1997 car wash tokens of north america 1997, harold v. In addition to running the largest brassbutton manufactory in connecticut, both scovill brothers were whigs. Many hard times tokens could be used as substitutes for one cent at specific businesses, whose. An explanation of just what hard times tokens are for new and potential collectors.
Hard times tokens book for sale rare antique coins. Fisher hard times token collection is one of the largest, and most comprehensive collections ever assembled, featuring a large number of both low and pseudolow varieties. Low, in his magnum opus, hard times tokens, 1900, describes five categories of tokens, which represented his criteria for inclusion into the series. If you plan to buy only a few lowcost tokens, you can get by with the three pages on the subject in a guide book.
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