AN S. MAYCOCK 'TRADE CARD' COIN OR 'HARD TIMES TOKEN' American, dated 1837 circular brass coin-style token: Obverse: American Eagle and date 1837 within a circle of thirteen stars and beaded border, Reverse: s. maycock & co 35 city hall place n-y surrounding everpointed pencil case manufacturers saml. maycock john hague and two roses, with smooth edges, 28mm diameter, rare

***John Hague was one of the earliest Americans to patent an Everpointed (mechanical) pencil and was a successful businessman in partnership with Samuel Maycock. These coins were created originally as advertising, but were also used as a form of currency during the American Panic of 1837. They are the same size as large US pennies, and were used interchangeably with other American currency by customers and general public alike. There is speculation that they also served as a form of status symbol; businesses doing well enough could afford to make such coins, while, ironically, the US Government couldn't..