(1834) Silvered Brass Token HT-12A, Running Boar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,160 MS63 08-20-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

This silvered brass variety of the 1834 Running Boar token combines the larger 29mm diameter of HT-12 with a silver-washed surface. The silvering over brass creates a bright, reflective finish that would have made this piece particularly eye-catching among the darker copper tokens in common circulation. Silvered brass tokens represent the intersection of political expression and decorative craftsmanship in 1830s America. The additional labor and materials required for the silvering process limited production quantities, making these pieces inherently scarcer than their plain brass or copper counterparts. The larger 29mm diameter of this variety further distinguishes it from the silvered strikings of smaller Running Boar dies. The survival of silvered pieces in any condition is noteworthy, as the thin silver layer is vulnerable to both mechanical wear from handling and chemical degradation from environmental exposure. Pieces retaining substantial original silvering are especially prized, though even well-worn examples with traces of silver plating document the range of compositions in which the Running Boar dies were used during the Hard Times period.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Silvered brass examples in the 29mm format are seldom offered. Most show significant plating loss.

Cross References

Low 12; Rulau HT-12A