Undated (ca. 1694) London Elephant Token. Hodder 1-A, W-12000. Rarity-6+. GOD PRESERVE LONDON. Diagonals in Center of Shield. MS-64 BN (PCGS).
191.7 grains. A spectacular example of a very rare variety, showing diagonal lines (rather than simple right angles) at the center of the reverse shield. The obverse is boldly lustrous light brown, lightly reflective and magnificently well struck. Though ideally centered, the force of the strike has raised a wire rim atop that side. Only a few minuscule marks on the body of the elephant separate this from Gem status, though we note a nearly invisible short scratch between the border and the animal's eye. The reverse shows hints of mint color around some letters of the legend, exceptional luster and strike, and immaculate surfaces. A broad border is seen at the bottom of the reverse. The visual appeal is just superb. This is a rare variety in any grade. Archangel (who had most of the rare Elephants) lacked this. Norweb (who made a specialty of these varieties) had an EF. Dittmer's was a real cherry example, sold as MS-64 BN (NGC) at Heritage in May 2022 (at $50,400) and again in October 2022. The Craige coin was an EF-40 (PCGS). Aside from the Craige coin, the only other example our firm has handled in recent memory was an MS-62 BN (PCGS) sold in our August 2012 ANA sale for $52,875; it reappeared in the January 2022 Heritage sale. Partrick's was EF-45 (NGC) and Newman's was holed.
PCGS# 61.
From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex the Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006.

Estimate: $65000