(1688) American Plantation Token 1/24 Real - Arms Transposed

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,560 • VF30 NGC • 08-2019 • Heritage Auctions

Description

One of the earliest tokens produced for circulation in the English American colonies, this American Plantation Token variety contains a heraldic blunder: the Irish harp and Scottish lion rampant shields are transposed — placed in each other's correct positions on the reverse royal arms. Cataloged as W-1140, Newman 2-G, and Breen 80, with PCGS #51, this very rare variety is rated R.7 with approximately 10-15 known examples. The error went unnoticed during production, meaning the die engraver switched the positions of the Irish and Scottish quarterings of the royal arms and the mistake was not caught before striking commenced. The American Plantation Tokens were authorized by James II around 1688 for circulation in the American plantations (colonies), struck in tin — a base metal chosen both for economy and because the tokens served as fractional currency in a 1/24 real denomination tied to the Spanish monetary system that dominated colonial commerce. The Newman obverse 2 paired with reverse die G defines this specific die marriage. The Arms Transposed variety holds particular significance for heraldic numismatists because blundered arms on official or semi-official coinage provide insight into the die engraver's working process and the quality control (or lack thereof) at the striking facility. This piece belongs to the Pre-1776 Private and Regional Issues (1616-1766) series.

Rarity Notes

R.7. Very rare; approximately 10-15 known examples.

Cross References

W-1140, Newman 2-G, Breen 80