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Auction 63304 | Lot 93035 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

1834 Running Boar, Low-10, HT-11, W-10-230a, R.2, MS63 Brown NGC. Copper, plain edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 35). This is a highly important early die state that shows no evidence of either obverse die crack. The chocolate and steel brown surfaces show hints of faded red on the obverse and a splash of brighter red at the central reverse. (PCGS# 77620)

Service NGC

Grade MS63

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Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $480.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93063 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

1837 Millions for Defence, Low-34, HT-49, W-11-150a, R.1, MS64 Brown NGC. Copper, plain edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 73). (PCGS# 77494)

Service NGC

Grade MS64

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $528.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93335 » Tokens & Medals » World Tokens

(1839-40) Barranquilla Manuel Angulo Token, Colombia, ATC-3A, MS64 Brown NGC. Copper, plain edge. A captivating and seldom-seen token issue of Barranquilla, showcasing handsome overall appearances, punctuated by a boisterous lavender flash. The first example of this Manuel Angulo type this cataloger has handled, and among the finest extant for this era.

Service NGC

Grade MS64

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $2,280.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93161 » Tokens & Medals » Expositions and Fairs

1852 American Institute Silver Award Medal, Harkness-NY-50, MS60 to MS62 Uncertified. 51.5mm. Signed R. LOVETT. This silver medal was awarded to Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger at the 1852 Fair of the American Institute in New York City. The reverse is inscribed: L. FEUCHTWANGER / FOR A CABINET OF / CHEMICALS / AND OTHER PREPARATIONS / 1852. Dr. Feuchtwanger is best known in numismatic circles for the patterns and tokens struck in his German silver alloy in 1837. In the years after his coinage proposal failed, Feuchtwanger "devoted himself to the drug and chemical business, of which he was one of the most prominent exponents of his day," according to Edgar Adams' June 1913 Numismatist article. This silver medal, beautifully preserved in its original box, is richly toned in gunmetal-blue patina with splashes of rose, violet, and gold color seen. Razor-sharp and unworn.
Ex: Central States Signature (Heritage, 5/2022), lot 4653.

Service Uncertified

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Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $4,800.00

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Auction 63304 | Lot 93001 » Tokens & Medals » Early American Tokens

(c. 1830) J.M.L. & W.H. Scovill's Manufacturers, Waterbury, CT, Rulau-E-Conn-33, R.8, MS62 NGC. White metal, 44.5 mm. The reflective fields and light cameo contrast are indicative of white metal (tin). Both sides are sharply defined with dappled ebony toning, sometimes called "tin pest." This example is illustrated on page 81 of the June 2004 Ford Collection catalog of hard times tokens and encased postage stamps but was not actually offered in that auction. Although a pre-Hard Times era piece, it is also illustrated on page 126 of A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens. Rulau wrote that there are "less than 5 known" while others suggest that just two examples are known including one in the ANS collection. The present example is possibly the only one that exists in private hands.
Ex: Possibly Dr. Benjamin Wright; Carl Wurtzbach; Virgil M. Brand, purchased on 1/22/10, Brand journal #55396; Brand Estate; Armin Brand; consigned to B.G. Johnson in 1936 for $50; sold (via New Netherlands Coin Company, 2/28/1955); John J. Ford, Jr. Collection (Stack's, 5/2005), lot 58.

Service NGC

Grade MS62

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $2,280.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93002 » Tokens & Medals » Early American Tokens

(1828-35) John J. Low & Co., Boston, MA, Rulau-E-Mass-48A, R.9 -- Damaged -- NGC Details. XF. Ex: Scovill-Ford. White metal, plain edge, 32 mm. The Rulau plate coin. The Boston city directory in 1825 listed "Low, John J., jeweller [sic], 19 Washington Street" predating Russell Rulau's observation that the firm was founded in 1828. An 1836 newspaper advertisement of "Jones, Lows & Ball" addresses the customers of the "late firm of John J. Low & Co."

John James Low was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts on June 30, 1800, and died in Boston on October 23, 1876. The Boston Evening Transcript of November 4, 1876, carried a notice of his death, writing in part: "Born at Gloucester in the year 1800, he there, and during his apprenticeship as a silversmith at Salem, acquired those habits of industry and faithfulness which contributed so largely to his own success and made him a model to the many young men who enjoyed the privilege of becoming assistants in his business."

Rulau reports that examples are known in brass and in white metal, and that both are unique. Malcolm Storer, curator of the Massachusetts Historical Society, described the brass example with a photograph on page 202 of the May 1921 issue of The Numismatist.

NGC describes this piece as damaged although surface challenges are virtually undetectable in the holder. The light gray surfaces show trivial imperfections, but the overall appearance is highly acceptable for a unique token.
Ex: Scovill; George or Melvin Fuld (8/1955); John J. Ford, Jr. (Stack's, 8/2013), lot 22016.

Service NGC Details

Grade XF40

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $900.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93006 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1832) Andrew Jackson, Small Head, Low-1, HT-1, W-09-10a, High R.5, AU55 NGC. Copper, diagonally reeded edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 14) as Low-1a. More than 100 of the following listings, starting with this piece, are plated in Dr. Schuman's book, The True Hard Times Tokens.

Jackson's campaign promises were preventing Southern secession and abolishing the Second Bank of the United States. The reverse legend alludes to those promises. This example and a similarly graded PCGS example that we sold in September 2020 are the finest that we have handled, although that piece had a planchet flaw, suggesting that the present example from Dr. Schuman's collection is the finest known. NGC has graded seven examples: AU58, AU55 (4), XF45, and XF40 (8/24).
Ex: Kimball Collection; New Netherlands (4/1955), lot 666; Herbert M. Oechsner Estate (Stack's, 9/1988), lot 432. (PCGS# 77083)

Service NGC

Grade AU55

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $7,800.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93007 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1832) Andrew Jackson, Scowling Head, Low-1a, HT-2, W-09-15a, Low R.8, VF30 NGC. Copper, diagonally reeded edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 16) as Low-1c. Just three examples of this token rarity are known from Dr. Schuman's research, and just two pieces are available to collectors as the lowest grade survivor is held in the ANS collection. While this steel and walnut-brown example has a few minor scratches, primarily on the reverse, it is free from corrosion that plagues the similarly graded discovery coin. Individual preferences are important. Dr. Schuman observes: "It is slightly less sharp than the [Ford] discovery coin and also has a few reverse scratches but is free from any corrosion." This piece is the only NGC-certified example of the variety (8/24).
Ex: Presidential Coin and Antique Company (3/1976), lot 639. (PCGS# 77084)

Service NGC

Grade VF30

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Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $5,280.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93008 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1832) Andrew Jackson, Scowling Head, Low-165, HT-2A, W-09-15e, High R.7, AU53 NGC. White metal, diagonally reeded edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 18). The Rulau plate coin (page 110). Dr. Schuman's research identifies five surviving examples of this important variety that includes three unholed examples and two others that have a hole at 12 o'clock. The present piece is the finest of the three unholed pieces. The Partrick piece that we sold in 2020 is graded MS64 but has a hole at 12 o'clock. This piece retains considerable luster and exhibits slight high-point wear as the grade suggests, with pleasing light gray surfaces. This is the only unimpaired survivor of the variety. In The True Hard Times Tokens, Dr. Schuman writes: "This piece is unequivocal well-known, well-documented, and quite rare. It is found only with the Type III (Scowling Head) obverse and the usual Low 1 reverse." NGC has certified three examples of this variety in AU53, AU58, and MS64. However, the MS64 example is holed (8/24).
Ex: F.C.C. Boyd; John J. Ford, Jr. (Stack's, 6/2004), lot 306. (PCGS# 77085)

Service NGC

Grade AU53

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $18,000.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93009 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1832) Andrew Jackson, Aged Head, Low-1b, HT-3, W-09-20a, R.6, AU58 NGC. Copper, diagonally reeded edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 15). The Bowers plate coin (page 92). The Rulau plate coin (page 110). Recorded here as R.6 following Dr. Schuman's lead when he wrote: "I suspect this is probably a true R-6, although certainly prior to 1955, no distinctions were made in earlier catalogues between these various types." Other catalogers have rated this important variety as R.7. This chestnut-brown example features glossy surfaces and splashes of original color, and it is the only example that retains hints of mint red. This exquisite Jackson token is probably the finest known. NGC has certified seven examples that grade VF (2), XF45, AU50, AU58 (2), and MS63.
Ex: F.C.C. Boyd; John J. Ford, Jr. (Stack's, 6/2004), lot 2. (PCGS# 77070)

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $19,200.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93010 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1834) Andrew Jackson, Low-4, HT-6, W-09-25b, R.2, MS63 NGC. Brass, plain edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 23). While this variety is rather plentiful, few Mint State examples have survived. The present piece exhibits a brilliant yellow luster with a small, discolored area at the left reverse. NGC has certified 45 examples of this variety including seven that are Mint State (8/24). Those examples are graded MS61 (3), MS62, and MS63 (3). Dr. Schuman observes that this variety is more plentiful without silvering, although he continues to write: "Most of the pieces at or near Mint State have been silvered." (PCGS# 77066)

Service NGC

Grade MS63

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $960.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93011 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1834) Andrew Jackson, Low-4A, HT-6A, W-09-25b, R.6, MS64 NGC. Silvered brass, plain edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 24). This extraordinary Choice Mint State Jackson token is apparently the finest survivor among silvered brass examples of the variety. The "silvering" is apparently a zinc wash that gives the silver appearance. Both sides are sharply defined with brilliant, lustrous surfaces. This is the finest of just seven silvered examples of the variety that NGC has certified (8/24). The others grade AU55 to MS62. (PCGS# 77072)

Service NGC

Grade MS64

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Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $3,600.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93012 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1834) Andrew Jackson, Low-2, HT-4, W-09-30b, R.8, VF35 NGC. Brass, plain edge. Ex: Raymond-Brand-Boyd-Ford. The Schuman plate coin (page 21). The Rulau plate coin (page 110). The Bowers plate coin (page 93). There are just two examples known of this variety that commemorates the achievements of Andrew Jackson in times of war and in times of peace as noted on the reverse inscription. The obverse displays a civilian bust of Andrew Jackson facing right with the inscription ANDREW JACKSON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. The reverse has WE COMMEMOat THE GLORIOUS VICTORIES OF OUR HERO IN WAR & IN PEACE, with ELECTED A.D. 1828 REELECTED A.D. 1832. The unusual appearance of the word "Commemorate" was the result of poor planning on the part of the die engraver. The word "Salute" might have been a better choice given Jackson's military service.

Dr. Schuman records just two examples in his 2010 book The True Hard Times Tokens. This example is complete, and the other known piece has a hole at 12 o'clock. The census will show the rarity of this important token variety. The present piece from the Schuman collection has just one auction appearance 20 years ago. While both sides show minuscule handling marks and trivial surface roughness, this piece presents great eye appeal with a well-centered strike and lovely beige and golden-tan surfaces.

VF35 NGC. Dewitt Smith; Virgil M. Brand on 12/31/1908, Brand journal #47457; Armin Brand, sold for $150 on 10/20/1936, via B.G. Johnson (thanks to Saul Teichman for this information); Wayte Raymond; F.C.C. Boyd; John J. Ford, Jr. (Stack's, 6/2004), lot 5. The present specimen.
VF30 NGC. Holed at 12 o'clock. Leonard Kusterer; Landmark Collection (Presidential Coin, 3/1976), lot 640; Steinberg Collection (Stack's, 10/1989); Donald G. Partrick (Heritage, 12/2020), lot 45063. (PCGS# 77068)

Service NGC

Grade VF35

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $43,200.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93013 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1834) Andrew Jackson, Low-3, HT-5, W-09-35b, R.3, MS63 NGC. Brass, plain edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 22). Although the Low-3, HT-5 Andrew Jackson token is rather plentiful, Mint State examples are elusive, and the present piece is the finest that we have handled. Prior to this offering, the MS62 Partrick example was the best in our archives. Dr. Schuman writes: "Fairly plentiful in VF/EF and below. Rare in MS and scarce in true AU. One in the author's collection is full MS but I have not seen any others. I have seen a few AU specimens, and some have been tampered with." This is the Mint State piece that he mentions. Both sides feature lemon-yellow luster with hints of beige toning. Weakness at the central reverse is the result of high relief on the obverse. NGC has certified 26 submissions of this token variety including 19 examples that grade VF to AU58, five MS61 examples, an MS62, and the present MS63 that is the best that NGC has examined (8/24). (PCGS# 77067)

Service NGC

Grade MS63

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $2,040.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93014 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

1833 Andrew Jackson, Low-5a, HT-7, W-09-40b, R.5, MS62 NGC. Brass, reeded edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 25). This variety is identified as Low-5 in A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens and as Low-5a in The True Hard Times Tokens. Hints of blue-green toning appear on the rich yellow surfaces of this lustrous token. A dark toning spot on Jackson's right (facing) shoulder will identify this example. NGC reports 19 certification events including one MS64, this MS62 example, and one other MS62. Six other submissions grade AU53 or AU55 (9/24). (PCGS# 77463)

Service NGC

Grade MS62

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Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $2,280.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93015 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

1833 Andrew Jackson, Low-5b, HT-8, W-09-45b, R.6, MS63 NGC. Brass, reeded edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 26). This variety is identified as Low-5a in A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens and as Low-5b in The True Hard Times Tokens. In addition to its imperfectly centered strike, this piece has coin-turn die alignment unlike the usual medal-turn alignment of most tokens. The obverse and reverse dies were misaligned with the obverse slightly off-center and the reverse visibly off-center. This example is the finest of eight NGC submissions that include seven examples graded AU58 or finer (9/24). The comparative NGC census figures confirm modern estimates that this variety is scarcer than Low-5a. (PCGS# 77664)

Service NGC

Grade MS63

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $3,600.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93016 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

1834 Whig Victory, Low-6, HT-14, W-10-10b, R.5, MS62 NGC. Brass, reeded edge. The obverse is deep olive, and the reverse is olive with pale yellow luster. The strike is imperfectly centered with a minor clip at 10 o'clock. This token recalls the Whig's victorious overthrow of King Andrew I (President Jackson). NGC Census data reveals certification of 18 examples including two graded MS64 and three graded MS62 (8/24). (PCGS# 77757)

Service NGC

Grade MS62

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Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $2,040.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93017 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

1834 Whig Victory, Low-6C, HT-14C, W-10-10f, R.8, MS61 NGC. Silver, reeded edge. Ex: Ford. The Schuman plate coin (page 28) as Low-6b. Numbering inconsistencies exist: Dr. Schuman labels the brass pieces as Low-6a, this variety in silver as Low-6b, and a reported German silver example as Low-6c. Bowers follows the lead of Rulau who labels those varieties as Low-6, Low-6C, and Low-6B respectively. Regardless of its label, there are just three known examples in silver. This is the finest of the three known silver examples, and at least two of those are struck over early U.S. quarters. While we are uncertain, we believe that this example is struck over an 1831 Small Letters quarter, possibly B-1 or B-4. This lustrous piece exhibits antique gray surfaces with blue, violet, and gold toning. It presents a high degree of aesthetic appeal and will prove to be a centerpiece of any advanced Hard Times token collection.

MS61 NGC. John J. Ford, Jr. (Stack's, 6/2004), lot 24. The present specimen. Possibly Ex: Kreisberg (11/1965), lot 2580. Possibly earlier from Thomas L. Elder (5/1929), lot 2283.
XF-AU. Presidential Coin & Antique Co. (3/1976); New York collector. Struck over an 1833 quarter.
Fine, holed. Walter Cutting Sale (Lyman H. Low, 5/1898), lot 172; American Numismatic Society. (PCGS# 77758)

Service NGC

Grade MS61

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $36,000.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93018 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

1834 Whig Victory, Low-7, HT-15, W-10-20a, Low R.6, AU58 NGC. Copper, reeded edge. A lovely, highly lustrous example that displays areas of steel toning on its chestnut-brown surfaces. While NGC has certified a few numerically finer examples of Low-7, Dr. Schuman writes that he has never seen a true Mint State example. This variety is typically classified as Rarity-6, although it is at the low end of that rating, or perhaps high within the Rarity-5 rating. (PCGS# 77763)

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $7,200.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93019 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

1834 Whig Victory, Low-7D, HT-15D, W-10-30e, R.7, AU58 NGC. White metal, reeded edge. Ex: Boyd-Ford. The Schuman plate coin (page 30). The Rulau plate coin. Brilliant mint luster resides on the light gray surfaces of this important rarity that Dr. Schuman identifies as the finest surviving example of the variety. His research suggests that seven examples are known in all grades. An example in the Dice-Hicks sale was called Uncirculated, although presenting less eye appeal than the present piece from Dr. Schuman's collection. Three NGC certified examples grade MS62, AU58, and AU55 (9/24).
Ex: F.C.C. Boyd; John J. Ford, Jr. (Stack's, 6/2004), lot 29. (PCGS# 77764)

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $8,400.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93020 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1834) William H. Seward, Low-15, HT-28, W-10-112b, R.3, MS64 NGC. Brass, plain edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 42); the obverse is also plated on page 43 to represent Low-169. Olive patina accompanies the brilliant yellow luster that remains in the protected areas of this Choice Mint State example. The NGC census includes two examples that are graded MS64 at the top of their roster with four other Mint State grading events and seven circulated submissions (9/24).

Variants of the Seward tokens are the source of confusion, and past auction listings require examination to determine the correct varieties. Dr. Schuman explains the differences between Low-15 (HT-28), Low-169 (HT-29), and Low-169A (HT-29A) in his book, The True Hard Times Tokens. A single obverse appears on each variety. Low-15 has a period before FRIEND and none after. Low-169 has a period after FRIEND, but none before. Low-169A has periods before and after FRIEND with an extra linear leaf extending from the top leaf of the branch. The reverse of Low-169 was reused with the Gulian Verplanck obverse for Low-16. (PCGS# 77770)

Service NGC

Grade MS64

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $1,920.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93021 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1834) William H. Seward, Low-169A, HT-29A, W-10-114b, R.7, MS63 NGC. Brass, plain edge. The reverse of Low-15 is reworked on this important variant. The right top of the U is strengthened, and a period follows FRIEND. This variety is currently listed as R.7, although Dr. Schuman writes of his expectations that more will be identified with a better understanding of the differences as noted in the previous lot. This lovely Select Mint State example boasts rich olive toning with light yellow and gold peripheries. A few scattered toning spots are typical of these brass tokens. NGC has certified this example and two other submissions that are both graded MS62 (9/24). (PCGS# 77768)

Service NGC

Grade MS63

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $9,000.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93022 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1834) William H. Seward, Low-13, HT-26, W-10-120b, R.4, MS63 NGC. Brass, plain edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 40). Two varieties attributed as Low-13 and Low-14 have a smaller bust on the obverse. The legend has GOVnr at the lower right on this obverse. Dark patina is noted at the upper obverse on this lustrous yellow example. NGC has attributed 16 examples of this variety (9/24) including seven Mint State pieces that grade MS65 (2), MS63, MS62 (2), and MS61 (2). (PCGS# 77771)

Service NGC

Grade MS63

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $1,440.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93023 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1834) William H. Seward, Low-14A, HT-27A, W-10-130b, R.5, MS65 NGC. Silvered brass, plain edge. Ex: Ford. The Schuman plate coin (page 41). Over several years, John J. Ford, Jr. acquired seven examples of the silvered, brass Low-14A tokens that were offered in the June 2004 sale of his Hard Times token collection. This example is the finest of that group and remains in remarkable preservation. The rich gray surfaces retain luster and exhibit delicate gold overtones. NGC has certified nine of these including four Mint State examples that grade MS65, MS63, MS62, and MS61 (9/24).
Ex: Dr. A.C. Black (7/20/1959); John J. Ford, Jr. (Stack's, 6/2004), lot 49. (PCGS# 77774)

Service NGC

Grade MS65

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $7,800.00

Auction 63304 | Lot 93024 » Tokens & Medals » Hard Times Tokens

(1834) Gulian C. Verplanck, Low-16, HT-30, W-10-160b, R.2, MS64 NGC. Brass, plain edge. The Schuman plate coin (page 45). A new obverse die promotes the gubernatorial candidacy of Gulian C. Verplanck, although the die sinker used the bust of William Seward. Sharply struck and lustrous with brilliant yellow-brass surfaces and splashes of olive patina. This is a plentiful token with 48 NGC submissions. The present piece is tied with one other for the finest of those grading events (9/24). (PCGS# 77313)

Service NGC

Grade MS64

Auction Ended

Oct 28, 2024

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Sold For: $1,020.00