(1838-40) Token HT-310, New York NY

Coin Details

Description

This lead token from the Sans Souci Hotel in New York City measures only 18.5mm in diameter—significantly smaller than the standard 28mm merchant tokens. The obverse reads "Sans Souci" and the reverse features an eagle facing right. The small size, unusual lead composition, and establishment name create one of the more distinctive Hard Times merchant pieces. "Sans Souci" is French for "without worry" or "without care," a name frequently adopted by hotels, entertainment venues, and pleasure gardens in the early nineteenth century. The name evoked leisure, luxury, and escape from daily concerns—an appealing brand for a hospitality establishment. New York's Sans Souci Hotel catered to the city's entertainment-seeking population with lodging and dining and drinking services. The lead composition and diminutive size suggest this token served a specialized function within the hotel— as a gaming piece, a cloakroom check, or an admission token for a specific entertainment feature rather than as a general-circulation cent substitute. Lead tokens were cheaper to produce than copper or brass pieces but were also softer and less durable, making them better suited for controlled internal use than for the rough handling of general commerce.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Lead, 18.5mm. Unusual composition and small format. Approximate value $1,700.

Cross References

Rulau HT-310