Early American and Betts Medals
Undated (ca. 1584) Raleigh Plantation Token. Betts-15. Die Pair 2. Brass. VF-25 (PCGS).
269.2 grains, 30.3 mm. 2.8 - 3.1 mm thick. Though a bit soft on some high points, this is an especially high grade example of this jeton or medalet, with good gloss over attractive golden surfaces. Darker toning frames the peripheries on both sides and highlights the complete rings of denticles. The central reverse is somewhat poorly struck, and some marks are seen there. Problem free aside from some truly trivial old scratches that blend into the obverse design elements. The head of Ouroboros is especially nicely defined for the issue, and the skull is as bold as ever seen. Die pair 2 is best identified by the position of the seated figure's forearm (not touching the skull) and the rose thorn that points to the right of the star below it.
PCGS# 827684.
PCGS Population: 1; 0 finer.
From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier from our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Norweb Collection, Part III, November 1988, lot 3398.
Estimate: $0 - $0