I have been reading about Raleigh Plantation Tokens.....Stacks listing and photos....
ambro51
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You're forgiven if you've never heard of these. While looking through Norweb two were offered lots 1146 and 1147. Stacks sold a nice one and I've copied the listing here with photos. This is exactly the strange stuff that appeals highly to me. Unconnected to Raleigh in nothing but name it seems to be a London Mortuary piece. Unlisted by Breen if is recognized in essence by Betts though there seem to be several varieties. There are a few google able reference auctions and images. A Strange Old Token...don't ya think? We find only one listing in Betts for the Raleigh Plantation Token, and the present offering certainly does not match the plate designated as Betts-15. However, according to the editor's preface of American Colonial History Illustrated By Contemporary Medals by C. Wyllys Betts, we read the following passage:
Should any errors in description or attribution be noticed, we must beg the reader to consider the difficulties of verifying Mr. Betts's descriptions, after the pieces under his inspection, and the authorities which he consulted, had been dispersed; and especially as he had not completed his own final revision of his work, when his early and lamented death put an end to his own labors.
Thus, at the behest of the esteemed editors, we do not fault Betts for the failure to include a number of what appear to be either newly discovered die varieties of the Raleigh Plantation Token, or as he himself conjectured, possible restrikes of some other, later origin. Nevertheless, Betts does refer, by means of a footnote, to a similar rude brass token described in an obscure 19th-century German work entitled Die Jules Fonrobert'sche Sammlung uberseeiche Munzen und Medaillen. Apparently, the reverse of this piece shows a serpent chasing its tail, and indeed, the example in the present lot reveals just such an image. Stacks auctioned a similar token in their September 2005 sale, Lot #232, however their piece portrays a much smaller boy reclining upon the skull.
The token itself has excellent eye appeal, and we note a number of very, very old pinscratches dotting both sides that are apparent only under magnification. The surfaces have acquired a rich, authentic-looking patina, and we find very little to detract the student's eye. We underscore the high degree of eye appeal and curious numismatic history and mystery that surround the origins of this piece. Therefore, interested parties should consider one's bids carefully, for this is an unusual item that will likely fetch a premium on auction day.
Images
Should any errors in description or attribution be noticed, we must beg the reader to consider the difficulties of verifying Mr. Betts's descriptions, after the pieces under his inspection, and the authorities which he consulted, had been dispersed; and especially as he had not completed his own final revision of his work, when his early and lamented death put an end to his own labors.
Thus, at the behest of the esteemed editors, we do not fault Betts for the failure to include a number of what appear to be either newly discovered die varieties of the Raleigh Plantation Token, or as he himself conjectured, possible restrikes of some other, later origin. Nevertheless, Betts does refer, by means of a footnote, to a similar rude brass token described in an obscure 19th-century German work entitled Die Jules Fonrobert'sche Sammlung uberseeiche Munzen und Medaillen. Apparently, the reverse of this piece shows a serpent chasing its tail, and indeed, the example in the present lot reveals just such an image. Stacks auctioned a similar token in their September 2005 sale, Lot #232, however their piece portrays a much smaller boy reclining upon the skull.
The token itself has excellent eye appeal, and we note a number of very, very old pinscratches dotting both sides that are apparent only under magnification. The surfaces have acquired a rich, authentic-looking patina, and we find very little to detract the student's eye. We underscore the high degree of eye appeal and curious numismatic history and mystery that surround the origins of this piece. Therefore, interested parties should consider one's bids carefully, for this is an unusual item that will likely fetch a premium on auction day.
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Comments
Steve
<< <i>19th-century German work entitled Die Jules Fonrobert'sche Sammlung uberseeiche Munzen und Medaillen >>
I enjoy your write-ups Ambro. Thanks for doing them. Just as FYI, that reference is to an auction catalog. Sammlung or SLG is German for collection. Uberseeiche means across the see, or America.