Hard Times Tokens are a type of specifically minted token issued in the United States during the economic distress of the late 1830s, primarily around 1837. They were created as a response to the scarcity of official coinage and served as a means of currency for local commerce. The tokens often featured designs that reflected social and political sentiments of the time, and they were not officially sanctioned by the government. Collectors value them for their historical significance and variety in design, with catalogs like Rulau providing important reference points for identification and valuation.

Item Denomination Series Year Mint
1837 Ht-31 Illustrious Predecessor Ms Other / Varied Hard Times Tokens - Rulau 1837 Unknown