(1833) Copper Gilt Token HT-70A, I Take the Responsibility

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,400 MS65 08-20-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

This gilt copper variety of the 1833 "I Take the Responsibility" token features a gold wash over the copper substrate, giving it a rich golden appearance. The gilding treatment elevates this piece visually from the standard copper version, creating a token that resembles a gold coin or medal — an ironic enhancement for a piece that satirizes Jackson's gold-currency policies. Gilt copper Hard Times Tokens are scarcer than plain copper versions but more available than solid precious metal strikings. The gilding process — typically involving the application of gold leaf, gold amalgam, or a gold-mercury solution followed by heating — added both cost and time to production, limiting the number of pieces that could be economically treated in this manner. The resulting golden appearance, however, commanded a premium from purchasers who wanted a more impressive-looking specimen. The "I Take the Responsibility" design is particularly effective in gilt copper, as the golden color evokes the gold currency that Jackson championed while simultaneously mocking his monetary policies through the satirical imagery. The visual pun — a gold-colored token criticizing the gold standard — adds an additional layer of meaning to an already richly symbolic design.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Gilt copper examples are uncommon, with many showing partial loss of the gilding.

Cross References

Low 51; Rulau HT-70A