1803 Token Pattern - J-C1803-1, Kettle

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

This is the quarter eagle ($2.50) denomination in the series of gaming tokens manufactured by Kettle & Sons of Birmingham, England. Struck in brass, the token features a Capped Bust Right Liberty portrait on the obverse that faithfully copies the design of contemporary American quarter eagles, with stars surrounding the bust and the date 1803 below. The reverse presents a heraldic eagle with shield, consistent with the Small Eagle or Heraldic Eagle reverse types used on US gold coinage of the period. The KETTLE name, to the right of the date on the obverse, distinguishes these tokens from genuine US gold coins, and it has often been removed. Kettle & Sons operated from about 1781 through the 1810s. The quarter eagle token was designed to serve as a chip in English gaming houses, substituting for the actual gold coins in play. Varieties exist with both plain and reeded edges, and in both coin and medal turn orientations. They are listed in Appendix C of the Judd reference on US pattern coinage.

Cross References

Judd-C1803-1; Pollock-8001