Collection Highlights
Architect's Sign
ca. 1837
1953.197
Wood
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Hard Times Token: Bentonian Currency. Mint Drop 1837
Object name
Hard Times Token: Bentonian Currency. Mint Drop 1837
Date
1841
Medium
Copper
Dimensions
Overall: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.9 cm )
Description
Token; copper; depiction of Lady Liberty surrounded by a ring of garland on obverse, ring of garland on reverse; obverse "E PLURIBUS UNUM / 1841" reverse "BENTONIAN CURRENCY / MINT / DROP / 1837"
Object Number
INV.13749
Gallery Label
"Bentonian Currency" was hard money as opposed to paper money. "Mint Drops" refers to the hard money of the Jackson and Van Burren. In 1837 and again in 1857, financial crises caused loss of confidence in paper money and widespread redemption of currency in coin. Banks were soon forced to suspend specie payments, and tokens and fractional notes had to serve as smaller change.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
