Hard Times Merchant Token - W. A. Handy, Merchant Tailor Providence, Rhode Island

Reverse

Motto on scroll above eagle with shield on its chest holding an olive branch and arrows in talons. On the bottom is the date which with the address surrounds the motif.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
No. 1 WASHINGTON ROW PROVIDENCE R. I. 1834
E PLURIBUS UNUM

Translation: E PLURIBUS UNUM - Out of many, one

Edge

Plain

Comment

William A. Handy was a merchant tailor and one of three businesses in Rhode Island to issue Hard Times Tokens. The reverse eagle and scroll motif is similar to the reverse of the US half dime, dime, and half dollar of 1834. This is R-1 with more than 1250 known.