If you read this guide, I do request you rate it as only in this way can I understand if I am helping others, thank you.

There are many problems with tokens that date back into the Civil War and earlier periods.  First, most circulated, even if in a limited area or for a limited time.  As a result, be very cautious if an item is stated to be uncirculated from this period.

Second, there are many modern forgeries in the market place today.  If you are not a very experienced collector of this type of material, be wary of high grade, although stated as circulated items offered on eBay.  There is one item offered routinely dated 1834.  YOU have to read the text of the offering to learn it is a modern rendition of a token from this period.

Third, many of these tokens have planchet problems.  They were holed, scratched, counterstamped, mulitated to appear to be a US large cent,  and generally mis-treated.  Note: in some cases, here you will need reference books, the item was issued holed.  These were meant to be worn pinned to the lapels, much as we use pins for such purposes today.

Fourth, grading can be very difficult!  Since these items are privately minted, there isn't really any perfect standards for grading these tokens.  Your eye must tell you how you feel about the item and the price you are willing to bid as a high point.  Reference materials I have seen are not truly current as these tokens have appreciated substantially in recent years, generally since the last edition of reference material was printed.  Items of lower grade that perhaps sold for $5 to $7 a few years ago now routinely bring over $12 and may be into the $20 range.  Higher graded material, especially if 3rd party graded by one of the better services (this too is your determination to make), moves upward very quickly and it is not uncommon to be over $100.

Education is critical in collecting these tokens, and for those labeled Hard Times (generally in the 1830 period) you will need several reference books as sellers often refer to either the "Low" or "HT" number of the item.  Low's reference is textual and provides good descriptions of the tokens.  The other reference materials generally give the "HT" number and a photo, but lack descriptive information to properly identity different versions of the same appearing token.

Good luck hunting and buying, these two periods are very interesting in our nation's economic history and a challenge to collectors today.