Hard Times token
1837
Place madeUnited States, North America
Metal
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
INV.13778.2a
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.
ClassificationsCOINS & TOKENS
DescriptionToken; metal; depiction of Lady Liberty's profile surrounded by a ring of stars on obverse, and an open umbrella on the reverse; obverse "EPLURIBUS UNUM" reverse "H. CROSSMAN / MANUFACTURER / No 92 1/2 / CHATHAM ST N. Y."Object NameHard Times token
