1795 (circa) Thomas Paine Hanging Token NGC AU-55

Description

C1795 Thomas Paine Token End of Pain AU55 Middlesex 829a
This is a choice specimen of this very popular token struck in the 1790s. Obverse shows Thomas Paine hanging from the gallows. Reverse shows a pair of Pandora’s breeches emitting gaseous vapors and a snake bodied man’s head with a dagger piercing his neck. In addition, it seems this man lost his grotesque foot along the way.
Our coin is graded AU55. It has a typical die-break on the reverse with soft central strike. This particular piece was very tough to photograph because if its plastic case. It has attractive purplish hues on the obverse when tilted that did not come out in the photos.
In "A Guide Book of United States Tokens and Medals," we find anti-Paine and pro-Paine tokens were very popular here in the
U.S.
in the 1790s. Jaeger writes anti-Paine tokens were imported by such fellows as John Adams and Alexander Hamilton "to carry as pocket pieces." On the other hand, Thomas Jefferson and George Clinton carried "pro-Paine" tokens, according to the author.
I took this this photo of Thomas Paine when I visited NPG, Smithsonian. This is a small painting, smaller than a copy paper. No, you don't get this painting with the token; it is not a part of this sale.
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