(1837) Token HT-49, Liberty - Not One Cent

Coin Details

Description

This 1837 copper Liberty / Not One Cent token is a die variety with the standard Liberty head obverse and "NOT ONE CENT" reverse. The continuous production of new die pairs for this design resulted in a proliferation of varieties that numismatists have cataloged over more than a century of study, beginning with Lyman Low's pioneering work in the 1890s. The technical quality of the dies used for Liberty/Not One Cent tokens varied considerably. The finest examples, produced by professional die sinkers such as those employed by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, show crisp, well-proportioned lettering and carefully detailed portraits. Lesser examples, produced by smaller workshops or less skilled engravers, display cruder workmanship that nonetheless achieved the primary goal of creating a recognizable, cent-sized token suitable for commercial use. The numismatic study of Liberty/Not One Cent die varieties continues to evolve as new specimens are discovered and analyzed. Advanced die study techniques, including high-resolution imaging and computer-assisted die matching, have refined the understanding of die states, sequences, and relationships within this complex series.

Rarity Notes

Common. Well-represented in the numismatic marketplace with examples available in most grade ranges.

Cross References

Low 34; Rulau HT-49