Hard Times Tokens - Post Your Images

[Adam123-migration]

The few I have are from the lower end of the market, so they aren't as nice as most of the tokens in this thread. But I can try taking some photos.

 

Here is my very first hard time token. I originally discovered hard time tokens just from browsing around eBay. I stumbled on to some and they piqued my interest. After doing some research on them, I decided to buy one, and this is it.

 

Pardon the photo quality. (And the tatter on the left side, I need to put this in a new holder)

 

HT-16 Webster Ship - Not One Cent

 

[BROADSTRUCK]

1845 Pomana Gardens, Cornbrook, Hulme, England, Rulau HT-M40, Brass, 26mm Diameter, Reeded Edge.

 

An attractive token design suggested by Rulau being from the 1830’s who has it listed as Rare. Rulau notes that the size does not match a farthing or halfpenny. So it is likely just a admittance token as the Howell Works Gardens hard times tokens.

 

Pomona Pleasure Gardens were a major attraction in the mid 1800’s originally named Cornbrook Strawberry Gardens the area was renamed to reflect the lush orchards which surrounded it (Pomona is the Roman Goddess of fruit trees, gardens and orchards). Opened in 1845 by William and Joseph Beardsley the orchards were eventually converted to public Zoological Gardens. The Beardsley brothers developed gardens to which the masses were brought by steamship along the river and omnibuses. It was a gentle place with what one observer described as fine specimens of trees and shrubs in the extensive arboretum and plant houses and conservatories holding beautiful specimens of plants collected from around the world. Pomona Gardens was in contrast another of those boisterous gardens of fun it boasted a mix of attractions including a gymnasium, flying swings, bowling green, rifle shooting, romantic walks and a promenade for both adults and juveniles as well as boat trips. Pomona Gardens in the summer of 1850 demanded 1s [5p] for adults and 6d [2½p] for children. These prices were beyond the reach of our laboring families and may have been a deliberate ploy to keep such places for the better off.

 

 

[Hard Times]

Adam and Broadie,

Some nice pieces. (thumbs u

 

Best, HT

[BROADSTRUCK]

1835 Robert B. Ruggles - Gold Beater, NYC, New York HT-308 / Low-274.

 

 

[BROADSTRUCK]

1837 Merchant & Joint Stock Exchange, Wall Street, New York, HT-294 / Low-98.

 

[ddr70-migration]

HT and Civil War Tokens

 

My favorite HT token of the 4 posted (click thru link above) is my 1836 LA HT-129 Walton, Walker & Co NCS AU Details

[BROADSTRUCK]

HT and Civil War Tokens

 

My favorite HT token of the 4 posted (click thru link above) is my 1836 LA HT-129 Walton, Walker & Co NCS AU Details

 

I enjoyed your gallery!

 

It's a shame someone holed the Walton for suspension as it's not even period but modern.

[BROADSTRUCK]

Just like any other series in HTT's... Buying the holder could cost you dearly!

 

[coinsarefun]

How much did it sell for?......That's just idiotic!!

[BROADSTRUCK]

How much did it sell for?......That's just idiotic!!

 

It hasn't sold yet ask is $460.00

[coinsarefun]

Ohhh, my mistake as that is a MS63........struck thru grease

[EXOJUNKIE]

How much did it sell for?......That's just idiotic!!

 

I agree. But why haven't I seen it posted ATS yet? I think it would be a great way to start a "Copper for the Weekend" thread! Just saying....

[BROADSTRUCK]

Ohhh, my mistake as that is a MS63........struck thru grease

 

Wishful thinking as that has rub.

[EXOJUNKIE]

Wishful thinking as that has rub.

 

Haha, a LOT of rub!

 

BTW, how about those RB examples? Need any for your grading set?

[BROADSTRUCK]

Wishful thinking as that has rub.

 

Haha, a LOT of rub!

 

BTW, how about those RB examples? Need any for your grading set?

 

Nope.... Many of those look very fruity as the color just isn't right.

 

Nice to finally see them grade a bunch in what they feel is MS though

[BROADSTRUCK]

Another which beyond the friction on the high points has a good amount of dirt build up on the surfaces in and around the lettering obtained from brief circulation.

 

[Hard Times]

Broadie,

If it has rub, why is it in a 64?

 

Best, HT

[BROADSTRUCK]

A big thanks to EXOJUNKIE who alerted me when this RB example popped up which I would have missed as I wasn't online... It arrived & I really love it!

 

1837 May Tenth Shin Plasters, HT-66/Low-47, Rarity-2, Hard Times Token

 

[Hard Times]

Very nice Broadie,

 

 

Here is mine, much less mint red

 

[Coindude]

Great tokens there HT and Broadie. Love the luster on the HT66 there HT.

[BROADSTRUCK]

Thanks HT & Coindude

 

 

 

 

[BROADSTRUCK]

 

 

[Hard Times]

Hi Broadie,

Real beauty and one that I don't have yet. There appears to be some rub on that AU63, 'specially on the turtle... Does PCGS really know how to grade these yet or in hand does the luster rotate through this member of Testudinidae?

 

Best, HT

[BillJones]

I recently bought this 1837 half cent token as a minor upgrade to what I had. As a one time half cent collector I've always liked this piece.

 

I can remember back in the much earlier editions of The Red Book that this piece was listed, but not pictured. It was simply called "a token, not a coin" which confused me back when I was in high school and knew little about tokens.

 

[BROADSTRUCK]

Hi Broadie,

Real beauty and one that I don't have yet. There appears to be some rub on that AU63, 'specially on the turtle... Does PCGS really know how to grade these yet or in hand does the luster rotate through this member of Testudinidae?

 

Best, HT

 

HT, I did not purchase that HT-33 as it does have rub. This example was part of submission of mostly graded MS on which all had me scratching my head. I've never been able to find out if they hired someone how specializes in these or if the normal grading department just placed a few books on a shelf? Based on this grading I feel a few of my NGC MS63's could MS67 at PCGS but it would just be useless numbers on a slab label. I had high hopes for them as I felt more quality HTT's would crawl out of the woodwork with them grading. I only purchase graded tokens as some of the finer examples only come that way. If the token isn't worth the same raw cracked out of the plastic I'm not a buyer. So unfortunately until there's some proper grading consistency at PCGS I'll just continue to watch how they progress from the sideline.

[BillJones]

I didn't want to say anything, but I didn't like that PCGS graded Hard Times token one bit. The coin not only has a rub, but I also think that it has been cleaned.

 

You don't have to be a specialist in Hard Times tokens to see that that piece is not Mint State. When you learn to grade numismatic items in general you can get so you can apply U.S. standards to most anything. The rub (excuse the pun) is that a given country, like Great Brittan, might have different more liberal or more conservative grading standards for their coinage. Therefore you might not get the pricing right because of that.

 

[Hard Times]

HI Bill,

NIce HT-73, well struck as many of these don't come that way, so good eye as usual. I think with PCGS and tokens, they seem to be a bit inconsistent. This one below is graded okay - one can quibble about 64 vs 65 but still a nice BU. I have a few Conders they have done okay on. Both P and N have been inconsistent with HTT's and Conders to some extent. My take has always been that all of these are heavily undervalued anyway, so the grades don't matter too much as long are they are 'close'.

 

Best, HT

 

 

[coinsarefun]

After so many, many years of bidding at auctions and looking

online for this one I got lucky and was able to pick up one of the nicest

looking ones I have seen in some time.

 

HT-73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hard Times]

Very nice Stephanie - fully struck on eagles neck and beak - uncommon being that well struck.

 

Best, HT

[coinsarefun]

Thanks HT