DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF HARD TIMES TOKENS

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The One Hundred Greatest Items Of United States Numismatic Literature Rank: Number 32


Clain-Stefanelli 14042*, Davis 638, Sigler 1603

Actually a fixed price list of Low’s inventory of hard times tokens, this 20 page catalog represents the first systematic study of these politically charged coppers. Priced between 10 cents and five dollars, pieces were offered in either “good,” “fine,” or “uncirculated” condition, and engraved line drawings served as illustrations. Low identified 96 varieties, and a second edition in 1899 added another 70. Low was clearly obsessed with the investigation, noting in 1886 that “the collecting and study of this interesting series of American Tokens, has had much of my attention for the past six years, during which time every type and variety herein noted has passed through my hands, and it has been to me a source of pleasure to form which I believe to be the two most complete collections of them extant.” The popularity of the series continues today, with two of the Low varieties reaching the top ten in Jaeger and Bowers’ 100 Greatest American Tokens And Medals.

1st Edition

First edition.Photo courtesy of Wayne K. Homren Numismatic Library.
First edition.
Photo courtesy of Wayne K. Homren Numismatic Library.

LOW, Lyman H. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF HARD TIMES TOKENS ISSUED FOR AND AGAINST THE UNITED STATES BANK, AND WITH REFERENCES TO THE FINANCIAL TROUBLES OF 1834-1841. ALL OF WHICH CIRCULATED AS MONEY FOR MANY YEARS THEREAFTER. WITH PRICES AFFIXED, AT WHICH THEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM LYMAN H. LOW
Boston: 1886
18pp
Octavo
Self Covered: Tan paper covers

An updated first edition in 1887 includes corrections and addendum printed on the inside of the back cover.


2nd Edition

Boston: 1899
65pp
Octavo
Softbound: Tan card covers


2nd Edition Supplement

Second edition supplement.Photo courtesy of Wayne K. Homren Numismatic Library.
Second edition supplement.
Photo courtesy of Wayne K. Homren Numismatic Library.

Boston: 1906
?pp
Octavo
Softbound: Tan card covers


Undated c.1924 Reprint, Softbound

c.1924 reprint.Photo courtesy of Wayne K. Homren Numismatic Library.
c.1924 reprint.
Photo courtesy of Wayne K. Homren Numismatic Library.

New York: Guttag Bros, c.1924
30pp
Quarto
Softbound: Card covers


Undated c.1924 Reprint, Hardbound

New York: Guttag Bros, c.1924
30pp, interleaved
Quarto
Hardbound: Brown moiré cloth, card cover mounted on front


1955 Reprint

San Jose, CA: Kappen, 1955
102pp, 15 plates (from E.H. Adams)
Octavo
Softbound: Card covers


1977 Reprint

New York: Durst, 1977
95pp
Octavo
Hardbound: Green leatherette, lettered in gilt


1984 Reprint

First edition.Photo courtesy of Steve Shupe Numismatic Library.
First edition.
Photo courtesy of Steve Shupe Numismatic Library.

New York: Durst, 1984
111pp
Octavo
Hardbound: Blue leatherette, lettered in gilt



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