Hard Times Token: Million for Defense, Not One Cent...
Classification:
Highlight:
Not promoted
Date:
1837
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Token; metal; depiction of the Tontine Coffee House on obverse; obverse "MERCHANTS EXCHANGE WALL ST N. YORK / BUILT 1827 / BURNT 1835" reverse "MILLIONS FOR DEFENCE / NOT / ONE / CENT / FOR TRIBUTE"
Object Number:
1393c
Gallery Label:
The Merchants Exchange held the largest room in the Tontine Coffee House until it built its own building in 1827. In 1837 and again in 1857, financial crises caused loss of confidence in paper money and widespread redemption of currency in coin. Banks were soon forced to suspend specie payments, and tokens and fractional notes had to serve as smaller change.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1837
eMuseum Object ID:
54356
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Hard Times tokens (2)
Classification:
Date:
1837
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description:
Token; metal; depiction of bald eagle with a snake and branch in its claws on obverse, ring of garland on reverse; obverse "1837" reverse "FEUCHTWANGER'S / ONE / CENT / COMPOSITION"
Object Number:
INV.13764ab
Gallery Label:
In 1837, Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger petitioned Congress to adopt his "Feuchtwagner's Composition" (German silver, a white, tarnishable copper-zinc nicker alloy) for the U.S. copper cent, reducing it to 18.55 MM. The petition was supported by Sen. Thomas H. Benton, but rejected by Mint Director Patterson in 1838.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1837
eMuseum Object ID:
54354
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Hard Times token
Classification:
Date:
1836
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Token; copper; depiction of a seated woman with a bald eagle, shield, ship, and spinning wheel, on obverse; obverse "AMERICAN INSTITUTE" reverse "COPY OF A MEDAL / AWARDED TO / ROBINSON'S / JONES & Co / FOR THE BEST / MILITARY, NAVAL / SPORTING, / & PLAIN FLAT / BUTTONS / 1836"
Object Number:
INV.13778.4
Gallery Label:
The Robinson's Jones & CO. recieved the American Institute medal for their metallic buttons in 1833, and issued these tokens to advertise the award. In 1837 and again in 1857, financial crises caused loss of confidence in paper money and widespread redemption of currency in coin. Banks were soon forced to suspend specie payments, and tokens and fractional notes had to serve as smaller change.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1836
eMuseum Object ID:
54349
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Hard Times token
Classification:
Date:
1834
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Token; copper; depiction of a planing machine on obverse; obverse "WOODWORTH'S PATENT / MADE BY / S. B. SCHENCK / ATTLEBORO / MASS. / PLANING MACHINE" reverse "PLANK PLANED / & / MATCHED BY / W. P. HASKINS / 435 RIVER ST / TROY N.Y. / ALSO GROUND NOVA / SCOTIA PLASTER / FOR SALE / 1834"
Object Number:
INV.13778.3
Gallery Label:
In 1837 and again in 1857, financial crises caused loss of confidence in paper money and widespread redemption of currency in coin. Banks were soon forced to suspend specie payments, and tokens and fractional notes had to serve as smaller change.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1834
eMuseum Object ID:
54348
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Hard Times token
Classification:
Date:
1833
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Token; copper; depiction of a seated woman with a bald eagle, shield, ship, and spinning wheel, on obverse; obverse "AMERICAN INSTITUTE" reverse "COPY OF A MEDAL / AWARDED TO / ROBINSON'S / JONES & Co / FOR THE BEST / MILITARY, NAVAL / SPORTING, / & PLAIN FLAT / BUTTONS / 1833"
Object Number:
INV.13778.6
Gallery Label:
The Robinson's Jones & CO. recieved the American Institute medal for their metallic buttons in 1833, and issued these tokens to advertise the award. In 1837 and again in 1857, financial crises caused loss of confidence in paper money and widespread redemption of currency in coin. Banks were soon forced to suspend specie payments, and tokens and fractional notes had to serve as smaller change.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1833
eMuseum Object ID:
54347
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Civil War token
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1863
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description:
Token; metal; obverse "JOHN ENGELL / MERCHANT TAILTOR / 52 / FIRST ST. / ELIZABETH PT NJ." reverse "I-O-U / PURE / 1 / COPPER / CENT"
Object Number:
INV.13855.68
Gallery Label:
During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1863
eMuseum Object ID:
54336
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Civil War token
Classification:
Date:
1863
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description:
Token; metal; depiction of profile of Lady Liberty wearing a headdress on obverse; obverse "UNITED / WE STAND / 1863" reverse "BROAS PIE BAKERY / ONE / COUNTRY / 131 41ST ST N.Y."
Object Number:
INV.13855.44
Gallery Label:
James J. Broas is listed in the 1863 New York City directory as a pie baker. During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1863
eMuseum Object ID:
54333
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Civil War token
Classification:
Date:
1863
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description:
Token; metal; depiction of a profile of Lady Liberty wearing a headdress on obverse, and a drum and four crossed flags behind two crossed canons on reverse; obverse "LIBERTY / 1863" reverse "UNION 63 / 76"
Object Number:
INV.13855.56
Gallery Label:
During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1863
eMuseum Object ID:
54332
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Civil War tokens (2)
Classification:
Date:
1863
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description:
Tokens; metal; depictions of rings of garland on both sides of both tokens; (a&b) obverse "LIBERTY / 1863"; (a) reverse "UNION"; (b) reverse "UNION / FOR / EVER"
Object Number:
INV.13855.15ab
Gallery Label:
During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1863
eMuseum Object ID:
54331
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Civil War token
Classification:
Date:
1863
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Overall: 3/4 in. ( 1.9 cm )
Description:
Token; copper; obverse "JOHN THOMAS / PREMIUM / MILLS / COFFEE & SPICES" reverse "REDEEMED / EXCHANGE / & / DEAN ST'S. / 1863 / ALBANY N.Y."
Object Number:
Z.3168
Gallery Label:
During the Civil War, there were no metallic coins of any denomination in circulation. Tradesmen were thus forced to issue a medium that would save commerce. Many of these tokens depicted patriotic subjects. The irresponsible nature of these tokens forced Congress to pass an act in 1864, forbidding private individuals to issue any form of money.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1863
eMuseum Object ID:
54320
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
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