Lot 5002
(1680) London Elephant Token Halfpenny. Thick planchet. PCGS graded MS-66 Red And Brown. This is the Eliasberg coin, and is superbly preserved. Magnificent brown luster on both sides, with ample traces of original mint red adhering near the devices. Boldly struck from an early die state, and certain to please the advanced specialist. As stated in the Eliasberg catalog, numerous fine die finish lines are present. Probably the finest known of this popular issue, and certainly worthy of the finest colonial collection.
It is thought that the motto GOD PRESERVE LONDON refers to the fire and epidemic which swept that City in 1666. These were probably struck a few years later, and possibly as late as 1694 when the dated Elephant tokens were struck. Breen estimates that 1672 is a good guess for the time of their coining.
This is, of course, the finest graded by PCGS, with a single coin graded as such. A couple of others are graded in lower mint state grades, but most are found in lower circulated grades. This is without a doubt, one of the finest colonial coins, of any type, to survive! A foremost opportunity for the specialist.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
From Bowers and Merena's Eliasberg Sale, Part I, May, 1996, lot 42.
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| Realized $10,925 |
