1688 American Plantation Token Newman 2-B Original Holt Strike located and purchased in the UK

ambro51

Ahhhh...Maybe THAT'S where to find them! . After scouring the internet another appeared and I bought it. This one is unquestionably the 1688 strike since this variety was never restrict. As such, we see a coin of immense antiquity, actually predating the Salem Witch Trials by five years! Clearly we see "Tin Pest" which has obscured some features of this coin. As Walter Breen stated "Tin pests may obscure details even in UNCIRCULATED, grade as though without them, then mention them". Sound advice from someone who knew more about coins than anyone. Examining these images, taking into account the soft nature of the metal...we see extreme retention of detail along with areas of very smooth surface with a hint of mint luster. You may throw sticks if you like but this is MS60 with tin pest. Yup. Never seen circulation but sure has been around awhile. Whitman rates this URS 6 implying about 30 extant. I do think that these original pieces are far rarer than thought, auction record analysis shows out of 70 sold, only 20 were original 1688 strikes. Enjoy! 1688 American Plantation Token Newman 2-B.

AUandAG

Interesting, but you did confuse me by saying that these were not restruck and then saying that out
of 70 sold only 20 were original strikes. So, what were the other 50?

bob

STONE

Cool piece!

Another question:
How does an 'unc' coin like that get so damaged? Clearly it has seen some handling!

RYK

I previously owned this coin (below). It was graded MS-84 (based on the convention of grading American Plantation Tokens used herein).

ambro51

Out of 7 or 8 varieties, the 5-D and the 4-E were restruck in 1828. The coin RYK posted is a 4-E, which is a 1828 Restrike. The coin I posted is a 2-B, this die pair was one of the group that Matthew Young donated to the British Museum, those varieties were never restruck. As to handling, there really aren't any nicks or circulation marks, the high points are still rounded., the ornate beaded rims are not worn down....it's just that lousy metal TIN and how it reacted over the last 325 years.

Broadstruck

<< <i>I previously owned this coin (below). It was graded MS-84 (based on the convention of grading American Plantation Tokens used herein). >>

ambro51

If you two think you are better qualified than Walter Breen to establish a grading standard for American Plantation Tokens then please let me know when you write YOUR encyclopedia of US Coins. If you ignore areas affected by tin pest THEN that MS60 grade seems viable. Here's a segment from a Heritage Archive photo of a PCGS MS60.

DHeath