A Project of the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment University of Notre Dame, Department of Special Collections

by Louis Jordan Images Coordinated by

James C. Spilman and the Colonial Newsletter Foundation

The New England Elephant Token is extremely rare (only two original examples are know to exist). One example was sold in the Garrett auction in 1980 for $16,000, that example was worn and weighted 132.4 grains. However there are many modern copies of this token. Joseph Merriam made a reproduction in the mid 19th century that is fairly common today, probably valued at $25-50. There are also several modern reproductions sold at colonial tourist sites such as Williamsburg that have no numismatic value.

For a history of Elephant tokens click here.

If you believe you have a hitherto unknown original the American Numismatic Association provides an authentication service. Their site is located on the web at:

http://www.money.org/anacsauthent.html

At that site they state:

"Items submitted for authentication are carefully examined and photographed; those determined to be genuine receive a black-and-white photo certificate of authenticity. AuthenticationPlus Service also can provide additional data, including, but not limited to: rarity, value, weight, diameter, specific gravity, variety, surface characteristics, reflectivity, originality, type of counterfeit, reed count, and recommended references for further research."

ANA Collector Services
818 North Cascade Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3279

Telephone: 800/467-5725
Fax: 719/634-4085