(1834) Copper Token HT-15C, Whig Victory

Coin Details

Auction Record

$482 06-29-2012 Stack's Bowers

Description

This copper Whig Victory token from 1834 is a die variant within the 27mm copper format of the Whig Victory subseries. The "C" suffix in the Rulau catalog indicates diagnostic die differences that distinguish this piece from HT-15, whether in the arrangement of legends, the style of lettering, the treatment of design elements, or other die-specific characteristics. Die variants in the Hard Times Token series are cataloged with letter suffixes (A, B, C, D, E) that indicate the sequence in which varieties were identified by researchers rather than the chronological order of production. The existence of multiple die combinations within a single basic design reflects the commercial success of the Whig Victory concept — die sinkers cut new dies as earlier ones wore out or broke, and each replacement die introduced subtle or significant variations into the production. The systematic cataloging of Hard Times Token die varieties began with Lyman Low's pioneering work in the late nineteenth century and was expanded substantially by Russell Rulau in his standard catalog. The progression from Low's original numbering system to Rulau's more comprehensive scheme reflects the growth of numismatic knowledge about these tokens over more than a century of study.

Rarity Notes

Common to scarce. Die variant with moderate availability in copper.

Cross References

Low 15; Rulau HT-15C