Undated (1834) William Seward. HT-26, Low-13, DeWitt-CE 1834-8, W-10-120b. Rarity-4. Brass. Plain Edge. 27 mm. AU-55 (NGC).Coin alignment. Toned in a blend of mottled deep antique brass and flint gray patina, this attractively original example also sports a smooth satin texture to both sides. Boldly defined apart from the usual softness in the center of the reverse, a trivially off center (to 6 oclock) strike on that side is also a common attribute for this type. Well produced overall and nicely preserved, this Choice AU is sure to please.<p>An interesting fact about this type is that the letter V in GOVnr in the obverse legend is actually an inverted A, complete with crossbar. The New York State elections in 1834 furnished further subjects for several varieties of Hard Times tokens. None are more curious than those depicting William H. Seward and Gulian C. Verplanck, as offered here. The Whig convention to nominate candidates for state governor and lieutenant governor opened in Utica on September 10. In the several preceding months there was speculation as to who would be chosen. During this time brass tokens were issued depicting William H. Seward and Gulian C. Verplanck.<p>It seems that the engraver had no likeness of Verplanck, so he used Sewards portrait on both! In an era before prints were widely used in newspapers, many recipients of the tokens probably didnt know the difference.<p>When final balloting took place in Utica, Seward was the landslide winner with 119 delegate votes, trailed at a long distance by 1 for James Kent, 1 for Peter R. Livingston, and 1 for Verplanck. In November, Seward lost to the incumbent, Governor William L. Marcy, a Democrat and staunch supporter of Jackson. As Verplancks fame as a Whig political candidate was fleeting, while that of Seward endured, his tokens were issued for just a short time, while Sewards were made in several varieties and for a longer time.
