| Description |
(1792-1794) TOKEN Kentucky Token, Twin Leaf Edge AU55 NGC. Breen-1163, W-8825, Unique. 162.8 grains. Large quantities of Kentucky tokens were produced in England, mostly in copper, with several edge varieties. Commonly seen varieties are the plain edge, diagonally reeded edge, and LONDON edge varieties. Rarities include the BEDWORTH, FIELDINGS, and BIRMINGHAM edge variants. That with the ASYLUM edge was reported in the 19th century, but is untraced today. The present piece with the Twin Leaf edge is unique. In his Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins, Walter Breen called this the Vine Edge variety, and suggested that the "Edge is probably like that on 1051: sinuous line and dots." However, he was clearly mistaken as the edge in no way resembles that of his Breen-1051 variety, the Talbot, Allum, and Lee/Blofield mule. The edge device has two rows of leaves, side-by-side, pointing outward. In the Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins, Q. David Bowers described the edge as "ornamented with series of lines and dots," relying on Breen's earlier incorrect description. This important variant has a trace of high-point wear as the grade suggests, with lovely surfaces that display an attractive mix of chestnut, chocolate, and bluish-steel toning. A minor rim bruise is evident at 4 o'clock, over the C of SOCIETY. A smaller rim bump is noted over the N of UNUM. Both sides have the usual grade-consistent, trivial marks. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Realized $12,925.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions. |
