can someone help id coin??

Bdollarbill

I found this coin with a bounty hunter metal detector @ the river bank in Chesapeake,va about 20 years ago when I was a kid, Thought I had hit gold but its some sort of token or comissary coin I believe. Maybe you guys can help. Only have photo of one side of coin shown below. Th e reverse side is dated 1837 metallic current Van Buren & a ship. Any help appreciated.

lordmarcovan

I don't see your photo, but it sounds like a Hard Times token, which would be a nice find, indeed.

Bdollarbill

photo of coin link

Bdollarbill

looks like ships name on side says consitution but its faded

lordmarcovan

Did it look like this?



source of pic

Bdollarbill

looks exactly like this coin..


http://www.maltergalleries.com/archives/auction02/worldauction/Lot1013.jpg[/L]

lordmarcovan

Yup. That's what it is. A Hard Times Token.

That is AMAZING condition for a dug one- I'm jealous! I have had a few of that type, but didn't dig them.

Bdollarbill

yes thats the coin!!! do you know any history on it?

lordmarcovan

Here's one definition for you:

(Hard Times Token):

"An unofficial US large-cent size copper struck in a wide variety of types during 1834-1841, serving as de facto currency, and bearing a politically inspired legend; or issues with advertising as a store card."

They were struck during an economic crisis, which is how they got their nickname.

Cladiator

That is friggin' cool!

goldrush00013

BTW-

Leodinus

You can find more information on it in the back of the big red coin book . The back of the coin determines which type. There is one with lightning (as shown in the above post) and one without. The latter is worth a little more. I'm jealous you found one.

--Cory

lordmarcovan

Hard times tokens used to be in the back of the Red Book, but I seem to recall the '04 and '05 editions no longer listing them, unless I totally missed them somehow. (I looked pretty hard and checked the index, too.)

Not sure about the 2006 Red Book. I'll have to check. I must say I am quite impressed with the changes they have made with the 2006 edition- it might have some minor errors or glitches like new formats often do, but I didn't see any and I really like the new look of the book.