© tpal1961 (CC BY)
© tpal1961 (CC BY)
Hard Times Merchant Token – S. N. Botsford, Clock and Watch Maker Norfolk, VA ND
| Copper | 8.10 g | 28.5 mm |
| Location | United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Medals › Advertising medallions |
| Years | 1839-1842 |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 8.10 g |
| Diameter | 28.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-11-13 |
| Numista | N#345271 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
His business name with 3 rosettes at bottom surrounding address and the rest of legend.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
S. N. BOTSFORD CLOCK & WATCH MAKER
MAIN ST.
NORFOLK VA.
CLOCKS FOR
SALE
Edge
Plain
Comment
Samuel Norman Botsford ran his business in Norfolk from 1839-1842. The two businesses in Virginia that issued Hard Times Tokens were his and Beck’s Public Baths (HT-441). In addition to clocks and watches, he advertised surgical instruments including “Scarificators, Trepanning, Amputating and Eye Instruments made or repaired to order”. Scarificators were used in bloodletting and trepanning is drilling a hole in the skull.Norfolk and Portsmouth Phenix – August 10, 1841
This token is R-5 with 31-75 known.
