1694 Token Elephant - Carolina - O/E

Coin Details

Auction Record

$47,000 XF45 05-16-2014 Heritage Auctions

Description

This 1694 Elephant Token of the Carolina type features a notable die variety where the letter O is engraved over an underlying E, indicating a correction or alteration in the die during its preparation. The obverse displays the characteristic elephant facing left, a device common to all varieties in the Elephant Token series, while the reverse bears the inscription GOD PRESERVE CAROLINA with this distinctive overlettered O/E. The Carolina Elephant Tokens are among the most historically significant colonial American numismatic items, as they represent one of the earliest coinages associated with the Carolina colony, which had been established under a royal charter granted to eight Lords Proprietors by Charles II in 1663. The O/E overlettering is a die variety detail that helps numismatists trace the production history of these tokens, indicating that the die cutter made a lettering error and corrected it by punching the correct letter over the mistake. The token is struck in copper at approximately 29mm diameter. The "GOD PRESERVE CAROLINA" legend is a distinctly colonial American sentiment that sets these tokens apart from their LON/DON and New England counterparts. Whether these tokens were produced in England for export to the Carolina colony or struck locally remains undocumented, though the quality of the die work indicates professional English manufacture. The O/E variety is particularly valued by collectors who appreciate die variety details within the broader Elephant Token series.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. The O/E overlettering variety is scarcer than the standard GOD PRESERVE CAROLINA type and is sought by die variety specialists.

Cross References

PCGS #73; Breen; Hodder; cf. PCGS #70 (standard Carolina), PCGS #67 (LON/DON), PCGS #76 (New England)