500

Lot 500: 1838 Hard Times Token

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:325.00 - 375.00 USD
Lot  500: 1838 Hard Times Token
<b>Black History</b><hr><b>1838 Hard Times Token 'Am I Not A Woman And A Sister' in Copper, Low 54B, Rulau HT-81A, Extremely Fine.</b>
28 mm, styled after Josiah WedgewoodÕs very popular "Am I not a man and a brother" plaque (a design that appeared on medals and another Hard Times Token). Cleaned and retoned, now a pleasing red- and orange-brown color, with some hints of olive. Crisply struck for the issue and nicely preserved, with but one small mark by the final 8 of the date. Issued in America, this token sought to bring attention to the plight of slaves, particularly the black women who were being held in bondage in many of the States. The obverse features a black woman on one knee, her arms shackled, pleading for humanity. The reverse has a simple LIBERTY 1838 within a wreath with the words 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' surrounding. This token is similar in size to the Large Cents that circulated during this time. Many of these tokens were issued following the financial panic of 1837 and they relate to the social and economic problems of their day.