Undated (Circa 1670) New Yorke in America Token. W-1705. Brass. AU-55 (PCGS).2.51 grams. An extraordinary specimen of a very rare and immensely popular early American token, thought to have been struck on behalf of Governor Francis Lovelace of New York. The most exhaustive research on this enigmatic type was a paper by John Kleeberg, published in the 1991 ANS COAC proceedings. Therein, he enumerated 20 listings in brass, perhaps (or probably) including some duplication. At least a few new specimens have been discovered since the paper was published, including the present piece, but overall this issue is at least Rarity-6+ with roughly 20 examples known. Most known specimens are downright ugly--this piece a remarkable exception to that norm. Its surfaces are smooth and glossy, with the obverse patina a deep golden brown with honey-gold high points while the reverse displays an even brassy tan patina. Struck slightly off-center to the west, the rim is partially incomplete from 1 to 3 oclock on the obverse. In terms of pedigree marks, the sharpness of strike surpasses any other example we have ever seen and that alone will likely be enough to identify this piece in the future. The eye appeal is nothing short of superb. A seemingly unknown example prior to 2016 when it showed up in an European auction; it was estimated therein at 9400 EUR; roughly $11,000. Unsurprisingly it surpassed the estimate and hammered at 88,500 EUR plus buyers premium. After the present piece, the next finest known is the Ted L. Craige specimen, an EF-40 with a mint clip that we sold in March 2013, as lot 196; following that is the lightly cleaned VF-20 piece we sold in November 2002 as lot 31 that we called "among the sharpest known;" after that are two Fine-15 examples at which point the condition of remaining known examples drops off precipitously.<p>Ranked 25th in the Katherine Jaeger and Q. David Bowers book <em>100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens, </em>this is a well-known token that will draw interest from many different schools of collectors and is sure to see spirited bidding. The combination of eye appeal and rarity marks it as an ideal addition to a connoisseurs cabinet, and the likelihood of another comparable example surfacing seems extremely remote, making the present lot a once in a lifetime opportunity.From Bruun Rasmussens Auction 868, November 2016, lot 491.
