(1910) Token DeLorey-47 Gold T. Elder-Abraham Lincoln

Coin Details

Auction Record

$288 AU50 06-21-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This gold token from circa 1910 is cataloged as DeLorey-47 and features Abraham Lincoln's portrait, produced by or for Thomas Elder, one of New York City's most prominent coin dealers and medal entrepreneurs of the early twentieth century. Elder operated from various Manhattan locations and was known for producing an extensive series of medals, tokens, and restrikes celebrating American historical figures, with Lincoln being among his most popular subjects. The DeLorey catalog, compiled by Tom DeLorey, documents Elder's numismatic productions comprehensively. A gold token from Elder represents a premium product within his catalog, as most of his output was in base metals. Gold strikings were reserved for special occasions, important clients, or particularly significant designs, and they were produced in very small quantities — typically fewer than a dozen pieces per variety. Elder's Lincoln tokens drew upon the enormous public interest in the sixteenth president that intensified around the centennial of Lincoln's birth in 1909, the same year the Lincoln cent was introduced. DeLorey-47 in gold represents one of the most desirable pieces in the Elder series, combining the popular Lincoln subject with the rarity of a precious-metal striking from a producer whose base-metal pieces are themselves scarce.

Rarity Notes

DeLorey-47 in gold is rare, with fewer than 10-15 examples produced. Gold strikings by Thomas Elder are among the most sought-after pieces in the Elder series.

Cross References

PCGS #599977; DeLorey-47; Thomas Elder, New York City coin dealer and medal maker; Abraham Lincoln