Hard Times Token - Van Buren / Webster Ship token 1837 front Hard Times Token - Van Buren / Webster Ship token 1837 back
Hard Times Token - Van Buren / Webster Ship token 1837 photo

Hard Times Token - Van Buren / Webster Ship token

1837 year
Copper 10.88 g 29.5 mm
Description
Location
United States
Type
Medals › Advertising medallions
Year
1837
Currency
Dollar (1785-date)
Composition
Copper
Weight
10.88 g
Diameter
29.5 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
Orientation
Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-11-12
References
Numista
N#305135
Rarity index
90%

Reverse

Ship CONSTITUTION in center under full sail in calm water, CURRENCY

Script: Latin

Lettering: *WEBSTER* / CONSTITUTION / CREDIT 1841 CURRENCY

Edge

Plain

Comment

This anti President Van Buren token was minted anticipating the election of 1840 when it was presumed that he would be opposed by Daniel Webster. It turned out that Webster was not the candidate and Van Buren lost to William Henry Harrison who took office in 1841.
This was likely minted in 1837 or 1838.
It is distinguished from HT-18, 19, and 20 which have CURRENT in place of CURRENCY on one or both sides. HT-21 also has CURRENCY on both sides, but on the reverse has 1) a noticeable bisecting crack from the E in CREDIT on the left to the 2nd C in CURRENCY on the right 2) the 1st R in CURRENCY touches the water while in HT-22 it is spaced from the water 3) the top of the flag on the left is next to the E while in HT-22 it is next to the R in CREDIT.