Im interested in coins that really make me feel connected to the people of the past. I really like Love Tokens because of that but I want to widen my area of collecting. Recently Ive seen some cool Hard Times Tokens that have somewhat the same personal feeling. I like the ones that stores issued (Store card tokens?) more than the Patriotic ones. I know there is a Red Book for Civil War Tokens where it helps label and classify each token and helps determine their rarity and value. Is there something like that for Hard Times Tokens? I might be interested in the Civil War Tokens too but they are a little small. I could get over that but the Hard Times tokens just feel a little cooler. I dont know maybe Im crazy. If anyone knows anything feel free to comment. Thanks!
The main reference for all pre-20th century US tokens is Rulau, Standard Catalog of US Tokens, though many continue to cite the earlier catalog of Lyman Low, Hard Times Tokens. It seems to me that a lot of collectors try to get one of every Low number - a daunting prospect, in my opinion. Perhaps you can focus on one major city and collecto tokens from there? Or maybe concentrate on the political issues at first?
I don't collect them but Krause "Standard Catalog of US Tokens 1700-1900" got a large section for Hard Times tokens, among many other things. Just got the 2004 version 2 days ago.
This page isn't entirely comprehensive but it does have some nice information. http://www.hardtimestokens.com/index.aspx
How to collect them? For most people usually one or two at a time, possibly more if they have the means at a coin show. Get the book and then decide which ones you would like to own the most and go from there.
Look at several types and consider what you like the most and focus around that. Pick a city or state and collect from that region.
It is easier if you only post a question to one thread. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/hard-times-tokens-how-to-collect-them.250468/#post-1972035
Rulau of course is the standard reference. I also recommend "The True Hard Times Tokens" by Dr. Robert Schuman; and the catalog for the 2008 Stack's sale of the Dice-Hicks collection which besides being a nice compendium of HTT's has a lot of interesting commentary that helps one understand the context of these pieces. I just got a copy, brand new off ebay for about $10. this thread needs pics.
