(1837) Copper Token HT-44, Liberty - Not One Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$504 XF40BN 08-20-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1837 copper Liberty / Not One Cent token has a slightly larger 28.5mm diameter compared to most varieties in the series, suggesting the use of a different die collar or planchet batch. The half-millimeter increase is sufficient to distinguish this variety visually from the standard 28mm pieces when examples are compared side by side. The variation in diameter across the Liberty/Not One Cent series reflects the practical realities of 1830s token manufacturing. Planchets were cut from rolled copper sheet, and the thickness and diameter of individual blanks depended on the gauge of the sheet stock and the precision of the cutting tools. Without the standardized production controls of the U.S. Mint, private manufacturers tolerated wider dimensional ranges in their products, resulting in subtle but measurable differences that modern catalogers document as variety characteristics. HT-44 is a well-known variety that appears regularly in sales of Hard Times Token collections. Its slightly larger size makes it a recognizable type for collectors who sort through mixed lots of Liberty/Not One Cent tokens, and the diagnostic features of its specific die combination are well-established in the numismatic literature.

Rarity Notes

Common. Readily available in the Hard Times Token marketplace.

Cross References

Low 29; Rulau HT-44