(1834) Silvered Brass Token HT-6A, Andrew Jackson

Coin Details

Auction Record

$840 AU55 08-20-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

This silvered brass variety of the 1834 Andrew Jackson token has been plated or washed with silver over a brass core, giving it a lustrous silver-white appearance while retaining the hardness and durability of the brass substrate. The silvering process involved dipping or electroplating the struck token in a silver solution, creating a thin surface layer that would have given this piece the appearance of a much more valuable silver coin or medal. Silvered tokens occupy an interesting middle ground in Hard Times Token collecting — more common than solid silver strikings but significantly scarcer than plain brass or copper examples. The silvering process added cost to production, suggesting these pieces were intended for a slightly upscale market or as semi-presentation pieces that could mimic the appearance of silver without the expense of solid precious metal. Over time, the silver wash on these tokens tends to wear through, especially on high points, revealing the yellow brass underneath and creating a distinctive two-tone appearance. Collectors sometimes refer to this as "ghost silvering" when only traces of the original plating remain. The degree of surviving silvering significantly affects the desirability and market value of these composition variants.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Silvered brass examples are uncommon, with most showing partial loss of the silver wash from handling and environmental exposure.

Cross References

Low 6; Rulau HT-6A