1757 Franco-American Jeton. Mars and Neptune. Betts-394, Breton-518. Silver. AU-55 (NGC).
28 mm. 113.0 grains. Coin turn. Reeded Edge. A lovely example of a scarcer entry in the Franco-American jeton series. Rich golden and subtle pastel toning engulfs dusky silver gray surfaces. A good bit of lustrous flash remains in protected areas, and the overall look is both attractive and deeply original. The devices are well defined despite a bit of friction and some scattered marks, including a short scratch left of T of TERRA atop the reverse. Betts translates the reverse legend to "the remotest land prepares triumphs;" charming and optimistic, perhaps, but by the end of 1757 the French had pretty much won all the battles they were going to win during the French and Indian War. This type is not encountered as a restrike, leaving scarce originals like this as the only collectible that will satisfy enthusiasts of this fascinating series. The only example we've offered in the last 18 years of this particular variety, using Raymond's Obverse Y, was the E Pluribus Unum piece, a PCGS AU-50 that brought $2,160 in November 2020. Ford's very advanced Franco-American jeton set was F.C.C. Boyd's with some additions; it included only one example of this die pairing, an EF with a reverse scratch.
From the Joe Foster Collection. Earlier ex "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; St. Louis Coin and Stamp Company (Eric P. Newman and Burdette G. Johnson); Eric P. Newman Collection; Heritage's sale of January 2014, lot 30418; John Kraljevich.

Estimate: $1000