| Description |
1694 TOKEN Carolina Elephant Halfpenny, PROPRIETERS, Fine 12 NGC. Hodder 1-E, W-12100, R.7. 147.6 grains. The Carolina Elephant tokens share the obverse die with the London pieces, and carry the 1694 date on the reverse. That combination of dies allows the estimated 1694 production date for the pieces inscribed GOD : PRESERVE : LONDON. Perhaps seven or eight examples of this variety are known today. Breen recorded eight, but his number 3 (Newman) and number 7 (Brand, Futter) are apparently the same coin, offered here. Only three examples were known in 1954, according to B. Max Mehl in his catalog of the Rovensky and Hoffecker Collections. Mehl wrote in part: {blockquote}"This coin was exhibited at a meeting of the New York Numismatic Club at which meeting there was an English Professor, a Dr. Duncan, who verified the statement that the coin was gilded contemporaneously and stated that at the period this coin was made in England it was not unusual to have the coins gilded for presentation purposes. The eminent New York numismatist, Harold Bareford, verified this statement."{/blockquote} This pleasing piece has mahogany and steel-brown surfaces with lighter brown color on the worn devices. Traces of greenish-yellow patina appear on both sides, while yellowish-orange in the protected areas remains from the gilt finish. The American colonial triumvirate, including the two Carolina varieties and the New England variety, ranks among the most famous pieces from the early American colonial era. Ex: Virgil Brand; Brand Estate; B. Max Mehl (11/1954), lot 2049; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Realized $30,550.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions. |
