1694 Token Elephant, LON / DON, BN MS(PCGS#67)

Spring 2023 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

1226

等级

XF40BN

价格

84,748

详细说明

High Grade LON DON Elephant Token Undated (ca. 1694) London Elephant Token. Hodder 2-D, W-12060. Rarity-6+. LON DON. EF-40 (PCGS). We handled this piece back in 2006 (graded EF-40 PCGS at that time as well) and cataloged it as follows: An important example of this notable rarity in the London Elephant token series, the second rarest variety from this obverse die after only the extremely rare New England type. Glossy and appealing light brown with hints of brassy color around the reverse legend. Mostly smooth, though as is so often seen on Elephant tokens of every variety there are some scattered planchet flaws. A group of pits gathers above the elephant's head, while some shallower and less significant roughness is seen in the northeast quadrant of the shield. The detail is exceptional and, if offered raw, we might be apt to offer this grade or even a higher one. The overall visual appeal makes this desirable for even an advanced connoisseur's collection. Described by Mike Hodder as Rarity-7- in the 1987 Norweb sale, we have not seen enough examples on the market since to consider this any more common today. Norweb's was graded EF-40 and was quite pleasing, very similar to this piece though without the pits over the elephant's head. Roper's was Mint State. Ford did not own one but he also did not peruse the London Elephant varieties to a significant degree. PCGS has graded only two finer. This piece would be a fine addition to any cabinet that concentrates on these Elephant token varieties, as it is missing from most of them. At that time, PCGS had seen only two finer examples - and even 17 years later, that population remains the same (though the Pop Report does show one additional entry at EF-40). The new EF-40 isn't quite as nice as this one, with a long linear flaw across the reverse; we offered it in our January 2013 Ted Craige sale (then graded VF-35 by PCGS) and in our March 2018 sale as lot 3012. Since this last appeared in 2006, not a single finer example has been offered at auction. The Partrick piece was EF Details but damaged, and the other few to have hit the market have been in lower grades. The Roper and Norweb coins are the only ones we know of that are clearly better. This would be a very tough coin to upgrade. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Stack's) sale of the Norweb Collection and Other Important Properties, November 2006, lot 2282. To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click here. PCGS# 67. Click here for certification details from PCGS.