Feuchtwanger Cent

The tokens were originally created as patterns to demonstrate a new type of metal for coinage; but when these proposals failed, they were temporarily used by the public during depressions to accommodate a shortage of small change.

Lewis Feuchtwanger (born in Fürth, Bavaria on January 11, 1805) received a doctorate at the university of Jena and then moved to New York City.

The Panic of 1837, an especially rough period of economic recession following the dissolution of the Second Bank of the United States, was known for massive hoarding of small change.

Much of the small change circulating at this time (roughly 1837–1844) was composed of clunky copper half-cents and privately-produced token "cents" or various cut- and whole silver coins of foreign origin.

Feuchtwanger was also noted for producing stamp-like casts featuring his common theme of a pouncing eagle attacking a snake.