American Anti-Slavery Society copper abolitionist token. Belleville, New Jersey: Gibbs, Gardner & Company, 1838.

The abolitionist token depict a kneeling female figure in chains with arms uplifted in prayer wurrounded by the legend: "Am I Not A Woman & A Sister” and the year 1838. The reverse reads “United States of America” with a backwards letter N in “United” outside of an olive wreath which inside reads “Liberty – 1838.” These coins were minted at the end of 1837 and circulated among abolitionists throughout the country.

Commissioned by the American Anti-Slavery Society to commemorate the formation of the Liberty Party, the pattern was inspired by the 1787 Wedgwood Jasperware medallion "Am I Not a Man and a Brother" which was designed for the British Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, itself inspired by a design from the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

An advertisement in the 27 November 1837 issue of The Emancipator announced the token, noting that a counterpart male figure token would be issued. This coin, however, was never struck as the US Mint Director suppressed the circulation of the coin shortly thereafter.

[African American History, Black Americana, Frederick Douglass, Abolition, Emancipation, Slavery, Slave, Abolitionist, John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Union, Confederate]