(1842) Token HT-C420A, (1842) Philadelphia PA

Coin Details

Description

This Philadelphia token from circa 1842 is a later-cataloged variety in the extensive HT-420 series. The approximate dating and the "C420A" designation (a sub-variant of an already-supplementary catalog entry) indicate this piece was among the later discoveries in a series that has expanded significantly beyond its original scope. Philadelphia's token production during the Hard Times era was remarkably extensive, and the ongoing discovery of new varieties reflects both the scale of original production and the depth of numismatic research that continues to uncover previously undocumented pieces. Each new variety adds another data point to our understanding of which merchants issued tokens, how many varieties they produced, and over what time period. The circa 1842 dating places this piece in the waning years of the Hard Times, when economic conditions were gradually improving and the urgent need for token coinage was diminishing. Late-dated tokens in the Hard Times series are generally scarcer than those from the peak crisis years of 1837–38, as the returning availability of genuine coinage reduced merchants' incentive to produce substitutes.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Later-cataloged Philadelphia token, circa 1842.

Cross References

Rulau HT-C420A