It's not a very nice Hard Times Token, but ...

[BillJones]

 

The Andrew Jackson token is quite scarce, but it does not get a lot of press. It is listed in DeWitt/Sullivan as AJACK 1832-3, in Low as #5 and in Rulau as HTT-7. It is rated as an R-5, 31 to 75 pieces known. I ran into this second example, which is actually nicer, and bought it cheap because it has a hole, which was probably put there during the 1832 Jackson campaign.

 

 

There is another variety of this which is almost identical. It has the same obverse and a slightly different reverse. The diagnostics are a smaller shield on the eagle's breast and no period after "N" in "N ORLEANS." This one is rated as an R-6, 13 to 30 known. This one cropped up in the last Stacks' sale, and I bought it despite the scratches on the obverse. I have not followed every sale of these tokens, but this is only the second one I have seen. The description was confused in the catalog so I had to do some diagnostic die variety work on this one, but I got it for a fairly low price (less than $150). NGC called it EF details, scratched. The only other I have seen had weird toning from an old cleaning and sold for a lot more. So I now have a token that only a specialist nut like me would love. <3

 

[BROADSTRUCK]

There is another variety of this which is almost identical. It has the same obverse and a slightly different reverse. The diagnostics are a smaller shield on the eagle's breast and no period after "N" in "N ORLEANS." This one is rated as an R-6, 13 to 30 known. This one cropped up in the last Stacks', and I bought it despite the scratches on the obverse. I have not followed every sale of these tokens, but this is only the second on I have seen. The description was confused in the catalog so I had to do some diagnostic die variety work on this one, but I got it for fairly low price. NGC called it EF details, scratched. The only other I have seen had weird toning from an old cleaning and sold for a lot more. So I have now have a token that only a specialist nut like me would love.

 

I actually like your details scratched newp far better then the one that was in a graded holder. Most graded examples in various third party plastic tombs offered in the last 5 years have been horrific surface wise. I personally haven't been able to find one either but settled for the example below as a filler as I liked it and the counter stamp number is my birthday... So I feel it was meant for me?

 

1833 Andrew Jackson, Small Shield, Low-5A / HT-8, Brass, Dies by Robert Lovett, Rarity-6, 13-30 Known

 

Although a bit lower in grade then what I normally collect and counter struck "17" for some reason.

 

I really liked the patina and it's been tough for me to locate a issue free high grade example.

 

[BillJones]

I just posted new pictures of the AJACK 1832-2 to are better focused. Thank you for your comments, Broadstruck. (thumbs u

[RWB]

Hard Times never are very nice - and add Jackson's homely visage and his love of patronage over ability - and you have a wonderful medallic tribute to one of the least insightful Presidents.

[Hard Times]

Here is my HT-8, When only a couple dozen are known, you have to take what is offered. These are all nice and rare examples Bill and Broadie!

 

Best, HT

 

 

[BillJones]

All I can say about your Low $5A, Hardtimes, is WOW!!!

[Conder101]

I like a tread like this. Proof that not everything has to be a high MS grade to be important and that sometimes you have to take what you can get because if you don't you may not have another chance for a LONG time if ever.

[BROADSTRUCK]

Here is my HT-8, When only a couple dozen are known, you have to take what is offered. These are all nice and rare examples Bill and Broadie! Best, HT

 

True as I spent considerable time with your token back in 2009 knowing it was the Virgil Brand example... However it has also been cleaned at one point but is still far more market acceptable then most seen, as there's even one in a graded AU NGC holder which definitely looks like it was fire and heat damaged. If I could go back 5 years having seen whats out there since I would have most likely bought yours and not rejected it for it's mild cleaning

[BillJones]

There was also an AJACK 1832-3, the more common variety, in the Stacks' sale that got a grade despite the fact that it had been cleaned. It brought strong money IMO considering the lack of originality. It makes me feel better about the first piece I posted at the beginning of this string, which has also been cleaned.

 

The one I posted with the hole looks original and choice to me, but drat that hole! For most other political token varieties it would not make much of a difference to an advanced collector, but since it's a Hard Times token, it does.

[BROADSTRUCK]

If it make you feel better the graded example in one of the last PCAC sales was also cleaned. I'm still not fond of anything that's been holed for suspension but on this issue uncleaned vs a hole... I might be willing to have a change of heart and make an exception?

[BillJones]

If it make you feel better the graded example in one of the last PCAC sales was also cleaned. I'm still not fond of anything that's been holed for suspension but on this issue uncleaned vs a hole... I might be willing to have a change of heart and make an exception?

 

When it comes to 19th century political tokens hold for suspension (hfs) plus a little wear often equals actually used in the campaign, which means something to me. A lot of the pristine stuff that some collectors love was made for collectors back in the 19th century, sometimes after the election was long gone. Included in this group are most anything that is made of silver, which is often quite rare, but not really an election piece.

[BROADSTRUCK]

When it comes to 19th century political tokens hold for suspension (hfs) plus a little wear often equals actually used in the campaign, which means something to me. A lot of the pristine stuff that some collectors love was made for collectors back in the 19th century, sometimes after the election was long gone. Included in this group are most anything that is made of silver, which is often quite rare, but not really an election piece.

 

I know but I'd still prefer it without the hole, but at least your hole is small and well placed... There's a political token on eBay right now that was holed too low right through the hair of the bust on the obverse... My heart was in my shoes when I saw it!

[Hard Times]

Here is my HT-8, When only a couple dozen are known, you have to take what is offered. These are all nice and rare examples Bill and Broadie! Best, HT

 

True as I spent considerable time with your token back in 2009 knowing it was the Virgil Brand example... However it has also been cleaned at one point but is still far more market acceptable then most seen, as there's even one in a graded AU NGC holder which definitely looks like it was fire and heat damaged. If I could go back 5 years having seen whats out there since I would have most likely bought yours and not rejected it for it's mild cleaning

 

I remember you telling me it was VB. Yes no question about the cleaning, but what can you do these just are not out there in aplenty - perhaps the Ford examples are the nicest? Bill's worn examples are wholesome. Your countermarked one is pretty cool.....

 

Best, HT

[BillJones]

Hard Times never are very nice - and add Jackson's homely visage and his love of patronage over ability - and you have a wonderful medallic tribute to one of the least insightful Presidents.

 

The biggest knock on Jackson was what he did to the Cherokee Indians in north Georgia which resulted in the Trail of Tears. I will never know how the liberal Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. was able to ignore that when he was writing his classic Jackson cheering leading piece, The Age of Jackson, is beyond me.

 

Jackson was also pretty dumb when it came to economics with his hard money policies which created an unnecessary liquidity crisis which made the Panic of 1837 far worse. He also retired the national debt completely for the only time in our history. It turned out not to be a good thing. Some arch conservatives should look into that for their own education.

 

On the positive side he did oppose the nullification acts which were actually an opening political shot that was leading toward the Civil War. Jackson also increased the participation of the average citizen in the elective process which in the 19th century was a good thing.

 

Today, I'm not so sure about that because of what I believe is becoming a growing trend toward widespread voter fraud. Vote fraud has always existed, but no I think that it is now worse than ever.

 

[BROADSTRUCK]

I remember you telling me it was VB. Yes no question about the cleaning, but what can you do these just are not out there in aplenty - perhaps the Ford examples are the nicest? Bill's worn examples are wholesome. Your countermarked one is pretty cool..... Best, HT

 

Ford's 4-5 weren't virginal surfaced either as they also looked mildly to harshly molested. Schuman has the finest and since that's not coming to market anytime soon BillJones's holed example might start looking better and better as time moves forward!