UNITED STATES: AE halfpenny token (13.86g) ND [1672-94], KM-Tn1.1, Br-186. Peck-503, Hodder -1A, Fine, Colonial coinage; Elephant, trunk lowered, standing left on visible ground // GOD PRESERVE LONDON, civic arms, thick flan, lamination error through obverse, small rim bump on reverse, ex Jerry D. Williams Collection. The origin of the Elephant token is unknown. It has been conjectured they were first minted soon after the great London fire of 1666 because the motto on the reverse reads, GOD PRESERVE LONDON. However, there is no evidence to substantiate this claim. More likely the motto is simply a general petition for divine grace. Also, because of the elephant on the obverse, it has been suggested the tokens were produced for the Royal African Company, founded by the Duke of York in 1622; but Frank Steimle recently explored this question and states that although a relationship to the company is possible, there is no evidence linking the production of the coins to the company. It seems the elephant was used as an eye catching novelty rather than as a symbol for a specific organization.

Estimate: USD 325 - 425