New York--New York. Undated (1835) W. Field. HT-269, Low-249, W-NY-500-10a. Rarity-7. Copper. Plain Edge. AU-50 (PCGS).

28 mm. Phenomenal quality for this highly elusive HT number, Richly toned in antique copper-brown, both sides are satiny in texture with exceptionally smooth surfaces. Indeed, there are no significant marks, leaving it to the lightest of nicks in the obverse field above the letter E in NEW to serve as a provenance marker. Boldly to sharply defined overall, and sure to sell for a strong premium to a knowledgeable Hard Times token specialist. This is one of the great rarities of the Hard Times series and, although the extensive Ford holdings included three NGC-certified examples in AU-55 and AU-58 in what was certainly a unique offering, even a great collection of Hard Times tokens such as that formed by James E. Dice and M. Lamar Hicks contained only a damaged EF (which sold for more than $6,000 in 2008). The present example was actually also once part of the Ford holdings, although it was obtained by Q. David Bowers in 1985. One wonders what hold QDB had over the great Mr. Ford for this piece, despite the lower certified grade, is finer than the three pieces that appeared in our August 2013 Ford XXIII sale. The accompanying cardboard 2x2 describes it as "finest known" for the HT number. Indeed, examples with the quality and eye appeal of the present piece are almost never seen. Once sold it could be years before a comparable specimen of this rarity is offered, so construct your bidding strategy accordingly. W. Field was a hatter at 148 Chatham Street, corner of Mulberry Street in a building that had street floor premises and several lofts to accommodate businesses. His tokens have been listed for a long time, including by Bushnell in 1858, but in the absence of being dated they have not been connected to the Hard Times series until the 20th century. In his article, "A Plea for American Token Collecting" in The Numismatist, April 1915, Thomas L. Elder listed this among the various tokens that he felt to be worthy of investigation. Russell Rulau states that Field was active in 1835.

From the Q. David Bowers Collection. Earlier ex F.C.C. Boyd, November 24, 1954; John J. Ford, Jr., June 26, 1985; Q. David Bowers Reference Collection. Cardboard 2x2 with attribution and provenance notes included.