(1837) Copper Token HT-57, Phoenix-Not One Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$216 MS63BN 08-11-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1837 copper token combines the phoenix design with the Not One Cent reverse, creating a hybrid of two important Hard Times Token motifs. The phoenix rising from flames on the obverse represents hope for monetary recovery, while the "NOT ONE CENT" reverse continues the political protest against Democratic economic policies. The combination of these two messages — hope for the future and criticism of the present — made this design particularly effective as both propaganda and emergency currency. The die combination used for HT-57 demonstrates the practice of muling — pairing obverse and reverse dies from different design families to create new varieties. Muling was common in private token production, where die sinkers maintained inventories of dies that could be combined in various ways to create new products efficiently. The Phoenix obverse, originally designed for a specific purpose, could be paired with any number of reverse dies to generate fresh varieties without the expense of cutting entirely new dies. This muling practice means that the token carries two distinct political messages simultaneously, each reinforced by the other: the phoenix indicates that recovery will come despite Van Buren's mismanagement, while "NOT ONE CENT" declares that the current administration's policies are worthless. Together, they constitute a comprehensive Whig commentary on the state of the nation's economy.

Rarity Notes

Common. Copper phoenix/Not One Cent muling with good marketplace availability.

Cross References

Low 47; Rulau HT-57