Counterfeit HT Tokens?

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lkenefic
lkenefic Posts: 9,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Hello Everyone
I've recently started a new collecting endeavor: Hard Times Tokens and Counterstamped Tokens. I picked up Dave Bowers’ book and have been following auctions for several months to get a feel for the market. I’m especially drawn to the Jackson/Van Buren political tokens, and I’ve seen quite a few examples... and this one in particular (see images).

The concern I have is with this specimen showing raised nodules in the fields and a die crack that I haven’t observed on other examples. If this were an early copper cent, that would raise a red flag for a possible transfer die that wasn’t properly lapped before striking. However, since this is a new area of collecting for me, I’m not sure how common counterfeiting or transfer-die copies are in these issues.

Any thoughts or insight from those familiar with Hard Times Tokens would be greatly appreciated.

Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.

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  • Coins3675
    Coins3675 Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭✭
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    That is interesting, you have me curious now.

    Successful Transactions With: JWP, DBSTrader2, greencopper, bretsan, ajaan, Ted1, Desert Coin, olah_in_MA

  • MWallace
    MWallace Posts: 4,682 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I don't know about it's authenticity, but it would be cool to own a counterfeit example if the seller isn't asking too much.

  • ambro51
    ambro51 Posts: 14,471 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 10, 2025 5:49PM
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    I think it’s genuine, just a late die state, probably terminal. Possibly, a later reuse of a rusted cracked die??

  • TheRegulator
    TheRegulator Posts: 1,243 ✭✭✭
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    If you do a search for Low 51 in auction archives you will see examples with the die crack and rusted reverse.

    This one looks pretty late, but there is no reason for me to think it is not genuine.

    The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -Thomas Jefferson
  • lkenefic
    lkenefic Posts: 9,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @TheRegulator said:
    If you do a search for Low 51 in auction archives you will see examples with the die crack and rusted reverse.

    This one looks pretty late, but there is no reason for me to think it is not genuine.

    Many Thanks!

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • tokenpro
    tokenpro Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Your token is legit -- as mentioned above it is just a late die state but I do not think it is a later re-use of the die as the crack is progressive and can be tracked. I grabbed a few pieces that were handy -- the die crack is clearly visible with a light angle tilt even on the earliest strikes in this group.

    There are very few counterfeit HT tokens that I am aware of outside of the common cast piece (with an 1824 date!) and the slew of modern restrikes that are easily identified. You do have to be careful with some of the Louisiana pieces and with the Starbuck and other blacksmith related crossovers.

  • coinsarefun
    coinsarefun Posts: 21,781 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    1849 kneeling miner token i don’t think it silver but I do, believe it’s

    electrotype


    .

    CoinsAreFun Pictorials Album FOR SALE SOME will mark final ones before auction
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    CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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    Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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    More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC FOR SALE

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