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American Plantations Token 1688

obverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

[1688]               Newman 2-B             American Plantations Token

Obverse:  IACOBVS . II . D G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX
Reverse:  VAL [.] 24     PART .     REA[L] .     HI[SP]A[N .]
Edge: Beaded edge design. [click here for samples from the beaded edge, sample 1 ; sample 2]

Weight:  144.4 g   (9.36 grams)             Diameter:  28.9 mm             Reverse die alignment: 0°

Comments: The reverse die alignment assumes the English shield (with the three lions) is in the top position. This is a an original coin showing signs of corrosion (known as pesting) as is common for these tin products. Corrosion has effected part of the edging and has intruded into the legend on both sides. Interestingly,some of the protected surfaces show the original luster suggesting the coin was primarily worn from pesting rather than circulation. The variety is Newman's 2-B. Obverse die two is distinguished in the head of the king is directly under the G and the hoof of the horse ends under the base of the E; also, there is no stop after REX. This obverse is only combined with reverses B and G. This example shows reverse B, which is distinguished by the seven string harp and the lack of alignment to the three lion heads which ascend obliquely to the left. Additionally, in the fleur-de-lis shield the fleur-de-lid to the left is lower (if viewing the coin upside down so the French shield is on top, then as Newman stated, the right fleur-de-lis is higher).

Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from the EAHA mail bid auction of 03/28/98, lot 459, graded Very Fine.

obverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

Undated              Newman 5-D          Young restrike of the American Plantations Token

Obverse:  IACOBVS . II . D G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX .
Reverse:  VAL . 24     [P]ART .     REAL .     HISPAN .
Edge: Beaded edge design. [click here for samples from the beaded edge, sample 1 ; sample 2]

Weight:  172.9 g   (11.20 grams)             Diameter:  27.9 mm             Reverse die alignment: 70°

Comments:   The reverse die alignment assumes the English shield (with the three lions) is in the top position. This is a restrike produced in 1828 by the London coin dealer Matthew Young from original dies. Young obtained two pairs of rusted original dies as well as the bars used to make the beaded edge and produced a few hundred restrikes in a pewter-based metal. On the obverse there is a major die break, as is found on almost all restrikes. The break goes from the rim just above the A in "FRAN" and moves down to the top of the R in "REX." Rust deposits throughout the dies caused the somewhat dark and grainy appearance of the coins, especially in the plain background areas. In this example we see there was significant rust in the "HIB. REX." lettering hence the letters are weak. On the reverse a considerable rust deposit was present in the die at "PA" in "PART" obscuring the P and weakening the strike of the A, there was also significant rust in the "HISPAN" area.

The obverse is distinguished as Newman obverse die 5 because the king's head is centered between the G and the B and the hoof is slightly to the right of the base of the X. The reverse is distinguished as Newman die D as the harp has eleven strings and the three lion heads are in a vertical line.

Provenance: From the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Collection.

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