(1837) Token HT-71, I Take The Responsibility

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,020 MS64 08-22-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

This brass variety of the "I Take the Responsibility" token from 1837 continues the iconic design into the Panic year. The brass composition and 28.5mm diameter create a golden-colored token that visually complements the political message about gold currency while serving as a practical cent substitute in daily commerce. The 1837 date on this variety places the "I Take the Responsibility" design squarely in the Panic, giving the four-year-old political slogan new urgency and relevance. Jackson's 1833 declaration of personal responsibility for removing the Bank deposits now read as an ironic admission of guilt for the economic catastrophe that his opponents attributed directly to his banking policies. The token thus functions as both a historical document — preserving Jackson's words — and a contemporary commentary — charging him with the consequences. Brass "I Take the Responsibility" tokens are less common than their copper counterparts but remain accessible to collectors. The brass alloy's resistance to corrosion means that surviving examples often retain more original surface detail than copper pieces of comparable circulation history, making them attractive specimens for display and study.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Brass composition less common than copper but regularly available.

Cross References

Low 52; Rulau HT-71