What do you think of Elephant Tokens?
MidLifeCrisis
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I posted a thread about these coins a couple of years ago...felt like bringing the topic up again.
Nobody really knows much about these coins. Lots of theories but very few facts.
Some think these were struck in England by or for the Royal African Company. (QDB states in his Colonial Encyclopedia that this theory can be dismissed since that entity was no longer active when these were made. However, no one really knows when they were made.)
Some believe the inscription on the reverse (GOD PRESERVE LONDON) refers to the 1665 plague and 1666 fire in that city. However, many believe these coins were struck around 1694, about 30 years after these events. In fact, a couple of rare varieties have that date inscribed on them.
Since a couple of rare varieties are inscribed with GOD PRESERVE NEW ENGLAND and GOD PRESERVE CAROLINA AND THE LORDS PROPRIETERS, many believe these coins have some real connection to early America. But so far, that specific connection remains unknown.
One theory noted by QDB is that these were tokens used in coffee houses in London named “New England” and “Carolina” in the late 17th century.
Will Nipper notes other theories about these coins in his book, including that they may be pattern issues for new coinage meant for the colonies.
Nipper also notes that Walter Breen “alluded to excavated pieces and to old, non-collector accumulations from New York and New Jersey that contain London pieces.” This Breen theory has also been used in Goldberg auction descriptions of these coins.
The entire symbol on the reverse is part of the city arms of London, as shown here:
According to various Internet sources, the shield combines the cross of St. George with the emblem of the city's patron, St. Paul. The sword has often been described or attributed to the dagger with which Sir William Walworth, Mayor of London, stabbed the rebel Wat Tyler on June 15th, 1381. The arms with the sword, however, predate this event. Another story states that the sword was granted by King Richard II as a reward for William Walworth's services to the King. There are, however, no historical evidences for either story. The sword most likely simply represents the sword of St. Paul.
Whatever the truth is about these coins, most colonial collectors include them in their collections, I think, because of the distinct possibility that they are related to the early American colonies and the lack of proof otherwise.
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In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
<< <i>The placement of the elephant on this token has always made me think that this was meant as a template for a series of pieces that could have various text placed above the elephant. I have no evidence that this is the case and do not believe the theory is credible, but that is what it has always reminded me of. >>
I think that's an interesting and plausible theory.