United States (New York): nickel silver private pattern cent, Feuchtwanger's Composition, 1837

Obverse: Eagle right, wings spread, seizing a serpent in its talons.
Reverse: * FEUCHTWANGER'S * COMPOSITION surrounding wreath, denomination within.
Issuer: Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger, New York City, USA.
Specifications: Nickel-silver, 18.5 mm.
Grade: PCGS AU53; cert. #37443543.
Reference: PCGS-20001, Numista-40701, HT-268.
Provenance: ex-Ex-David Lawrence Rare Coins, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA, 7 February, 2020.
Notes: Dr. Feuchtwanger was a German immigrant physician, metallurgist, and chemist who ran a pharmacy in New York City. These tokens were produced as a private pattern proposal to replace the large cents of the time. His proposal was denied by the Mint, but his tokens ended up being widely circulated in the wake of the Panic of 1837, which had caused a severe shortage of small change. They proved practical to the needs of commerce and were less cumbersome than the government-issued large cents. Feuchtwanger cents are catalogued with the Hard Times Tokens, and many varieties of them exist. He also produced 3-cent tokens with two different designs in 1837 and 1864, all of which are rare today.
Comments: Feuchtwanger was 20 years ahead of the government in producing a small cent. His "German silver" alloy (which contained no actual silver) stood the test of time well, too. Most pieces retain a pleasingly mellowed silver color today, some 180 years after they were produced.

Here's the man himself. (I had imagined him as bearded, for some reason.)



"Lewis Feuchtwanger, as illustrated in his Popular Treatise on Gems (1867) 3rd Edition."

Image retrieved from NGC article; original is likely public domain.

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