1833 I take Responsibility, NGC MS65 BN. 1833 Hard Times Token-70 I Take Responsibility. This mint state token is shows no wear as one might expect for a MS65 grade piece. Subdued mint luster is seen on both sides of the piece. The obverse is light brown with somewhat darker brown at the top and the periphery. A few trivial greenish spots show on Jacksons face and beard. The reverse is an even light brown that is somewhat darker on the left side. The strike is full and sharp on both sides. Hard Times tokens were issued privately when banks suspended payments and would no longer issue coins in change.

 

The I Take Responsibility token shows President Andrew Jackson coming out of a money chest holding a money bag and a sword wearing a royal military uniform. This satire expresses the idea that it is bad for the executive to control both the treasury and the army. Because Jackson was not a good speaker and poorly educated, he was sometimes portrayed as a jackass especially when Harvard gave him an honorary LL.D degree. I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY is what Jackson said after he put the funds of the Bank of the United States into twenty-five state pet banks. His explanation was, THE CONSITITUTION AS I UNDERSTAND IT. ROMAN FIRMNESS was a taunt of the day to describe him. The word VETO below the Jackass referred to his veto of the Third Bank of the United States.