Description Title / Series: Red Book Series #17: A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens — History, Values, Collecting. Whitman Publishing. Authors: Q. David Bowers & Robert A. Schuman. Subject: Hard Times Tokens (political and commercial tokens, store cards, etc.) from about 1832-1844. These were privately minted tokens used during “Hard Times” in U.S. history (economic/political crisis era). Key Contents & Features Provides history of the era: economic & political setting (bank failures, currency & coin shortages, public unrest), how and why these tokens arose. Detailed catalog of classical varieties: political tokens, store cards, “merchant issues”, and satirical designs. Includes illustrations/photos to help with identification. Rarity & value data in multiple grades. Helps collectors understand which varieties are rare, which are common, and what premiums exist. Full-color format; solid reference for both new and experienced collectors. Designed for collectors of exonumia (coins & tokens not official U.S. Federal coins). Specifications Spec Detail Pages ~ 320 pages. Size / Format Paperback / trade softcover; approx. 6 × 9 inches. Full Color Yes — includes high resolution photos. ISBN 978-0794842956 Pub Date 2015 (first published in this edition) Why It’s Valuable to Collectors For collectors of exonumia and early U.S. tokenage, this book is essential: not many references are as thorough for Hard Times Tokens. Helps in identifying subtle variety differences (mint marks, die doublets, design quirks) which often add premium. Useful for grade-comparisons & price expectations—those rare pieces (with good condition) can command much higher value. Includes photos so it aids visual identification — helpful when coins/tokens are worn or altered.
