1694 Elephant Token. I Need Some Info On This.

This is first time I have seen this token.

At first look, I thought the patina looked too new for year 1694. Maybe there are different varieties, or this might not be authentic. I got authentic pictures from Heritage. Look and decide for yourself.

Left subject coin - Right slabbed coin

Spinks "British Colonial and Commonwealth Coins" ( published 1986 ) mentions this coin.

Illustrations of two varieties are shown. In both cases the elephant matches the right hand design above. Particular differences I note are:
1. OP's elephant has toes marked, which are either not shown or so small as to be not obvious in the original,
2. Ear is different shape.
3. Eye has two distinct curved lines underneath - not present in OP's coin,
4. Ground under elephant in OP's coin appears to be tufted grass , not shown in book.

There are two reverses. One has "PROPRIETERS" instead of "PROPRIETORS". Book states only 5 examples are known of this "E" type. No values listed.

Of the "O" type, the book shows slight misalignments of the text which match the right hand example above. In particular, if "THE LORDS" is considered to be horizontal, compared to this "PROPRIETORS" appears to slope slightly upwards as you look at it from left to right. This does not match BigSilver's coin.

Values given by Spink ( in 1986 ) in US$ for grades are -

Unc 8500
EF 5000
VF 3000
F 1500

Spink suggests the original coin was made in London.

The elephant design also appears on a New England coin dated 1694, following the same style as the right hand coin, not BigSilver's.


Re the handwritten note saying it is a restrike from the original dies, I cannot see this, but would happily be advised otherwise.

I can't be certain (based on the images provided), but the OP's piece certainly seems like one of the copies produced by Capitol Medals out of High Point, NC back in the 1960s/70s. The medals were struck in copper and given a satin oxidized finish.

These "modern" medals pop up from time to time on ebay and from other on-line sellers. A fair price range is $10 to $20 (based on condition) and whether or not it includes the original info pamphlet and envelope.

I've included a few images of my example for comparison.