Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 495 7 Jul 2021
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HARD TIMES TOKENS, Political issues. CU Cent Token (28mm, 8.99 g, 11h). Belleville, New Jersey mint. Dated 1838. Exaggerated head of Liberty left, wearing diadem inscribed LOCO FOCO / MINT / DROP in two lines within wreath. Rulau HT 63; Low 55. Good Fine.
From the WD Collection.
On 29 October 1835, the infamous Tammany Hall political machine met in New York City to select a nominee for November's congressional election. Two opposing candidates packed the hall with supporters, but the vote was split. Amid the chaos, someone turned off the gas, plunging the meeting into darkness. One party was prepared, however, and quickly produced candles and self-igniting matches, colloquially called "loco-focos" after a cigar brand. City papers soon dubbed this anti-monopoly splinter group of Democrats as "Locofocos." Though the faction would never control the national Democratic party, in the 1840 election the Whigs would apply the term to the party at large. The short-lived nickname died out by the 1850s.
From the WD Collection.
On 29 October 1835, the infamous Tammany Hall political machine met in New York City to select a nominee for November's congressional election. Two opposing candidates packed the hall with supporters, but the vote was split. Amid the chaos, someone turned off the gas, plunging the meeting into darkness. One party was prepared, however, and quickly produced candles and self-igniting matches, colloquially called "loco-focos" after a cigar brand. City papers soon dubbed this anti-monopoly splinter group of Democrats as "Locofocos." Though the faction would never control the national Democratic party, in the 1840 election the Whigs would apply the term to the party at large. The short-lived nickname died out by the 1850s.