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can someone help id coin??

BdollarbillBdollarbill Posts: 38
in Metal Detecting
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.
L@@king for graded silver eagles 1986-date MS69 preferred

Comments

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 45,020 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't see your photo, but it sounds like a Hard Times token, which would be a nice find, indeed.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • BdollarbillBdollarbill Posts: 38
    photo of coin link
    L@@king for graded silver eagles 1986-date MS69 preferred
  • BdollarbillBdollarbill Posts: 38
    looks like ships name on side says consitution but its faded
    L@@king for graded silver eagles 1986-date MS69 preferred
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 45,020 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did it look like this?

    imageimage

    source of pic

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • BdollarbillBdollarbill Posts: 38
    looks exactly like this coin..


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

    L@@king for graded silver eagles 1986-date MS69 preferred
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 45,020 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • BdollarbillBdollarbill Posts: 38
    yes thats the coin!!! do you know any history on it?
    L@@king for graded silver eagles 1986-date MS69 preferred
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 45,020 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,340 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is friggin' cool!
  • goldrush00013goldrush00013 Posts: 2,478 ✭
    image




    BTW- image
    Analog Rules! Knobs and Switches are cool!
    imageimage
  • LeodinusLeodinus Posts: 35
    You can find more information on it in the back of the big red coin book image. 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
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 45,020 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

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