Rare Tokens from NGC-certified Partrick Collection Offered in Heritage Sale

More than 650 tokens certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) from the Donald G. Partrick Collection are featured in Heritage Auctions’ upcoming Hard Times and Merchant Tokens US Coins sale. Online bidding is now open and ends December 6, 2020.

The offerings are nearly all from the early and middle 19th century. They include Hard Times tokens, which were used as an unofficial currency when Americans were hoarding US coins. Some tokens advertised businesses, while others carried a political message.

An incredibly rare 1838 Am I Not A Man & A Brother (Low-54A, HT-82) token graded NGC AU 53 BN is one of the most prized pieces in the sale. The obverse depicts a kneeling man with the words AM I NOT A MAN & A BROTHER, while the reverse features a wreath reminiscent of the US Mint-issued cents in circulation at the time.

1838 Am I Not A Man & A Brother (Low-54A, HT-82) token graded NGC AU 53 Click images to enlarge.

These tokens were modeled after Conder Tokens struck in Britain in the 1790s with the anti-slavery message. The British Empire outlawed slavery in 1833, 32 years before the US.

Similar tokens also dated 1838 show a female slave and the message AM I NOT A WOMAN & A SISTER. These are relatively plentiful compared to the 1838-dated male slave tokens, of which only four are known. This is the second-finest example.

A spectacular 1837 American Silver (HT-74 GS) token graded NGC AU Details is also expected to shine in the sale. The exceptionally rare token is one of only two known, and is returning to public auction for the first time in 30 years.

1837 American Silver (HT-74 GS) token graded NGC AU Details Click images to enlarge.

Another standout is a (1835-36) Philadelphia Corporation (HT-412) One Shilling token graded NGC XF 45, which is unique in private hands. The sale also features two examples of the only other known denomination of Philadelphia Corporation token: 50 Cents.

(1835-36) Philadelphia Corporation (HT-412) One Shilling token graded NGC XF 45 Click images to enlarge.

Collectors can explore some of the greatest numismatic rarities of all time in NGC’s image gallery of the Donald G. Partrick Collection. With the recent addition of the tokens in this sale, the gallery now contains high-quality images and information for more than 2,000 pieces. To view the gallery, visit NGCcoin.com/Partrick.

“Donald G. Partrick had a keen eye for vintage US coins, tokens and medals,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman and Grading Finalizer. "NGC is honored to have certified the Partrick Collection and proud to offer an image gallery where people can appreciate this unparalleled group of numismatic treasures."

The Partrick Collection has already realized more than $27 million as it is offered in a series of sales that began in January 2015. To see a list of other sales, including the much-anticipated Partrick Platinum Sale in January 2021, go to HA.com/Partrick.

Other NGC-certified highlights in this Partrick Collection sale include:

• An (1829-30) New York, NY (HT-340A) Wright & Bale token graded NGC XF 45
• an (1832) Andrew Jackson (HT-1) token graded NGC XF 45 BN, also pedigreed to the Miller Collection
• an (1832) Andrew Jackson (HT-2A) token graded NGC MS 64, also pedigreed to the Miller Collection
• an (1832) Andrew Jackson (HT-3) token graded NGC AU 58 BN, also pedigreed to the Brand Collection
• an (1834) Andrew Jackson (HT-4) token graded NGC VF 30
• an 1834 New Orleans, LA (HT-123A) brass token graded NGC AU Details, also pedigreed to the Brand Collection
• an (1835) Troy, NY Carpenter & Mosher (HT-359) token graded NGC XF Details
• an 1836 St. Louis, MO Huckel Burrows & Jennings (HT-187) token graded NGC MS 62, also pedigreed to the Miller Collection
• an 1837 New York Feuchtwanger’s Composition Three Cent Piece (HT-263) graded NGC MS 61, also pedigreed to the Miller Collection
• an 1837 New York Feuchtwanger’s Composition Three Cent Piece (HT-265) graded NGC MS 65 DPL, also pedigreed to the Miller Collection
• an 1841 Daniel Webster (HT-20A) token graded NGC MS 61, also pedigreed to the Miller Collection
• an 1844 Batavia, NY Cochran (HT-211) token graded NGC XF 40 BN, also pedigreed to the Miller Collection