1694 Token Elephant - New England

Coin Details

Auction Record

$141,000 VG8 03-26-2015 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1694 Elephant Token bears the legend GOD PRESERVE NEW ENGLAND on the reverse, making it one of the most historically significant tokens in colonial American numismatics. The obverse features the elephant facing left common to all varieties in the series, while the reverse carries this distinctive New England attribution. The GOD PRESERVE NEW ENGLAND inscription parallels the GOD PRESERVE CAROLINA found on the Carolina variety, with both expressing a pious wish for the welfare of specific colonial regions. Struck in copper at approximately 29mm, this token is extremely rare and ranks among the most coveted colonial American numismatic items. New England in the 1690s was a thriving but politically turbulent region, having recently experienced the overthrow of the Dominion of New England (1689), the Salem witch trials (1692), and ongoing conflicts with French Canada and Native American nations. The token's production may be connected to commercial interests seeking to promote trade with or investment in the New England colonies. Unlike the LON/DON variety, which is connected to London's trading companies, the New England inscription indicates a more specific colonial audience or purpose. The GOD PRESERVE legend carries particular resonance for a region that had been founded by Puritan settlers seeking religious freedom. Very few examples of the New England Elephant Token are known to survive, making each appearance at auction a major numismatic event.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. One of the great rarities of colonial American numismatics. Fewer than 10-15 examples exist. Six-figure prices are typical at auction.

Cross References

PCGS #76; NGC #108104; Breen 194; Hodder; cf. PCGS #70 (Carolina), PCGS #67 (LON/DON)