(1825) Copper Token HT-303, Peale's Museum NY

Coin Details

Auction Record

$5,875 MS66BN 08-10-2016 Heritage Auctions

Description

This 1825 copper token from Peale's Museum in New York City is one of the earliest-dated pieces in the Hard Times Token series, predating the main production period by over a decade. The larger 34mm diameter sets this piece apart from the standard cent-sized tokens, placing it closer to medal dimensions and suggesting it functioned primarily as an admission token or souvenir rather than as a circulating cent substitute. Peale's Museum was part of the museum chain established by the Peale family of artists and naturalists. Charles Willson Peale founded the original museum in Philadelphia in 1786, and his sons extended the enterprise to New York and Baltimore. The New York location, operated by Rembrandt Peale and later by Rubens Peale, featured natural history specimens, portraits, and curiosities that attracted visitors from all social classes. The museum tokens served as admission checks, souvenirs, and advertisements for the institution. The inclusion of Peale's Museum tokens in the Hard Times Token catalog reflects the broad scope of the Rulau cataloging system, which encompasses commercially issued tokens from the entire 1832-1844 period regardless of whether they were specifically motivated by the coin shortage. Earlier tokens like HT-303, though produced before the Panic of 1837, are included because they continued to circulate during the Hard Times period and served the same commercial functions as purpose-made Hard Times Tokens.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The larger format and earlier date make this a distinctive piece. Limited surviving population in collectible condition.

Cross References

Rulau HT-303; Low 121