Hard Times Tokens

"1832" (1834) Andrew Jackson. Roman Head. HT-6, Low-4, DeWitt-CE 1834-27, W-09-25b. Rarity-2. Brass. Plain Edge. AU-58 (NGC).

27 mm. Attractive in all regards, this is one of the nicest examples of the type that we have offered in recent memory. Nearly in the Mint State category, both sides are boldly to sharply defined with plenty of satiny luster remaining. The strike is ideally centered, and there is just a touch of softness to the high points and in isolated peripheral areas. Dominant brassy-gold patina with glints of pale rose that are more pronounced on the reverse. A few wispy handling marks in the right obverse field are mentioned solely for accuracy. Arguably the most popular Hard Times tokens with political themes, the Andrew Jackson pieces have been eagerly sought by numismatists since the mid 19th century. HT-6 is eagerly sought by specialists due to the Roman toga portrait of Jackson on the obverse, as well as the erroneous election date 1829 in the reverse inscription. The latter was corrected to 1828 before this die was paired with different obverses to produce the HT-4 and HT-5 varieties. With the typical example in numismatic hands grading EF or low end AU, this near-Mint specimen of HT-6 is among the finest obtainable in today's market. This type was missing from our recent (August 2019 ANA) sale of the Q. David Bowers Reference Collection of Hard Times Tokens, although an NGC AU-58 realized $1,560 in our November 2019 sale of the Aim High Collection. The present example is more lustrous and better centered, and worthy of a particularly strong premium.

Estimate: 1500