Benedict & Burnham USA Hard Times Token Coin, 1837

Benedict & Burnham USA Hard Times Token Coin, 1837

Obverse: Inscribed banner ("E PLURIBUS UNUM") above eagle with US-shield at chest holding olive-branch and arrows. Date below.
Legend: BENEDICT & BURNHAM * WATERBURY CONN * / 1837

Reverse: Legend in four lines (OF / GILT BUTTONS / SHEET & / PLATERS BRASS / &c ) above star.
Exergue: MANUFACTURERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION *

Producer of planchets for the striking of 5-cent pieces
References: Low-109, HT-104. R3!
Diameter: 28 mm
Weight: 8.6 gm

The Benedict & Burnham company was an issuer of Hard Times tokens for their own business and for other merchants In 1887 the firm supplied 20,000 pounds of planchets for the striking of copper-nickel 5-cent coins to the the U.S government. A nice and important hard-times token, resembling the design of pre - 1830 quarters on its obverse!