LONDON ELEPHANT TOKEN -
Thick Planchet,
LON DON reverse
Notes:
As of May 2001, PCGS had graded only two examples of this variety
|
Images courtesy of Superior
Stamp and Coin
Recent appearances:
PCGS VF-20 (illustrated above). Ex - Superior Stamp and Coin "Pre-Long Beach Sale" September 19-21,
1999, Lot 307, "Breen-190 Rarity 7- PCGS graded Very Fine-20.
Variety with LON DON, the so-called "godless" variety.
However, the obverse (elephant side) is from a different die than the one
shown in Breen. The tusks are well away from the rim and other
details are clearly different. The Garrett and Norweb sales did not
contain a similar muling, and a cursory check of other significant sales
did not turn up an example." - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins &
Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16,
18-20, 2001, Lot 26 at $1,840.00, "PCGS VF-20...The central reverse
has traces of undertype, as often seen, from the host coin used to strike
these."
PCGS VF-20. Ex
– American Numismatic Rarities, LLC’s “The Classics Sale,”
July 25, 2003
, Lot
12, "LON DON variety, Breen-10, Hodder 2-D", illustrated, sold
for $2,185.00
PCGS Fine-12 (illustrated
below). Ex -
Early American History Auctions, Inc.'s Mail Bid Sale, June 9, 2001, Lot 1230,
where it was described as follows: "(1694) London Elephant
Halfpenny Token, "Godless" LON DON variety, PCGS graded Fine-12. Breen
190, where the variety is called "Very Rare" (we'd be surprised
if as many as twenty were known). Pleasing, unimpaired surfaces. Toned a
light to medium brown, with some darker shades adhering near the devices.
For some reason, this variety is almost always found in lower grades, yet
few are as nicely preserved as this one. Certain to create some bidding
excitement as this example is only the second of it's rare variety to be
certified to date by PCGS and subsequently, it is the Second Finest
Certified."
Sources and/or
recommended reading:
|