(1834) Silvered Copper Token HT-157A, S.B. Schenck MA

Coin Details

Description

This silvered copper variety of the S.B. Schenck token from 1834 represents the premium version of the standard copper issue. The silver coating applied to the planchet gave the token a more refined appearance appropriate for presentation to valued customers or display at trade exhibitions. Silvered varieties from Attleboro manufacturers are consistently scarcer than their plain copper counterparts. The silvering process employed by Attleboro firms was essentially the same technique used in their regular jewelry production. Workers skilled in plating and finishing could apply a thin silver wash to tokens as easily as to buttons or buckle components, making multi-finish production runs economically practical. The existence of silvered varieties across multiple Attleboro manufacturers (Schenck, Robinson, and others) demonstrates this as a standard capability rather than a special order. For modern collectors, the silvered Attleboro tokens present an interesting challenge. The silver coating on surviving specimens ranges from near-complete to almost entirely worn away, and the degree of remaining silvering significantly affects both the token's visual appeal and its market value. Well-preserved silvered specimens are particularly sought after as examples of early American metalworking craft.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Silvered copper variety. Rarity R-3.

Cross References

Rulau HT-157A