Hard Times token
Classification:
Date:
1837
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Token; copper; depiction of a donkey on obverse, a tortoise carrying a bank on it shell on reverse; obverse "ILLUSTRIOUS / I FOLLOW IN THE / STEPS / OF MY / PREDECESSOR" reverse "EXECUTIVE / SUB / TREASURY / 1837 / FISCAL AGENT / EXPERIMENT"
Credit Line:
Gift of Thomas H. Meyers
Object Number:
INV.13856a
Gallery Label:
The "executive experiment" refers to the establishment of the Subtreasury system. The tortoise with the safe on its back alludes to the slow progress the experiment made, and the running jackass alludes to the Van Buren's rapid growth in popularity. 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:
54295
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Hard Time tokens (2)
Classification:
Date:
1837
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Token; copper; 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:
INV.13754ab
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:
54294
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; obverse "EBINNERUNG / an / 1863." reverse "NOT / ONE / CENT"
Object Number:
INV.13855.39
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:
54293
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:
Tokens; metal; (a) obverse "ROBINSON & BALLOU / GROCERS / TRY N.Y." reverse "REDEEMED / OUR / STORE / 1863"; (b) obverse "OLIVER BOUTWELL / MILLER / TROY N.Y." reverse "REDEEMED / IN / BILLS / AT MY OFFICE"
Object Number:
INV.13855.65
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:
54292
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; (a) depiction of the profile of a woman wearing a feather headdress, and garland on obverse, garland on reverse; obverse "WM.THIERBACH / 142 ELM ST. / 1863" reverse "GROCER"; (b) garland on reverse; obverse "KNOOPS SEGARS & TOBACCO / 131 BOWERY / N.Y. / 1863" reverse "NOT / ONE / CENT / L.ROLOFF"
Object Number:
INV.13855.32ab
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:
54283
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; depiction of a farmer on obverse, and a bald eagle on reverse; obverse "MONEY MAKES THE MARE GO / GO IT BUTTONS / 1863" reverse "UNITED STATES COPPER"
Object Number:
Z.3176
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:
54266
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
U.S. Merchant token
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1850
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Token; metal, hole punched in center; depiction of Lady Liberty surrounded by a ring of stars on obverse, a bald eagle with a shield on its chest on reverse; obverse "E. LYON / 484 BROADWAY NEW YORK" reverse "MAGNETIC POWDER & PILLS FOR INSECTS & RATS"
Object Number:
Z.3106e
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1850
eMuseum Object ID:
54244
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Hard Times token
Classification:
Date:
1837
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Token; copper; hole in top; depiction of an eagle with a shield on its breast on obverse; obverse "JAMES G. MOFFET / E PLURIBUS UNUM / 121 PRINE ST T / BREASS FOUNDER NEW-YORK" reverse "SHEET & PLATES BRASS / GOLD SILVER / GERMAN SILVER / ROLLED / TO ORDER / BRASS COUNTER RAILING"
Object Number:
Z.3106f
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:
1837
eMuseum Object ID:
54243
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
U.S. Merchant tokens (2)
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1860
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Tokens; metal; depiction of a bald eagle with a shield on its breast on obverse, ring of garland on reverse; obverse "ROOT & CO. / N.Y. / DACUERRIAN GALLERY. 363. BROADWAY." reverse "FIRST / PREMIUM / AWARDED TO / ROOT. & CO. / DACUERREOTYPES"
Object Number:
Z.3106ab
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1860
eMuseum Object ID:
54242
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Hard Times token
Classification:
Medium:
Metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description:
Token; metal; depiction of a sheaf of wheat on obverse, and a bald eagle, with a shield on its cheats and a branch in its claws, on reverse; obverse "ENGLISH BREAD / TWIST & FANCY CAKES" reverse "H LAW BAKER / 187 CANAL ST NEW YORK"
Object Number:
Z.3106d
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:
0
eMuseum Object ID:
54241
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
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