1796 Myddelton token. Breen-1073, W-8905. Silver. Proof-63 (PCGS).171.9 grains. An exceptionally pretty example of perhaps the most beautiful early American issue in terms of pure artistry. When offered in the legendary New Netherlands Sale #60 of 1968, this piece was cataloged as “a deeply toned, partly iridescent, and just about pristine Proof.” The toning is deep and original, but under a light source the fields appear close to pristine, with scant few hairlines, an arc lintmark in the middle of the left obverse field, and two minuscule chatter marks below it. The strike is sharp, and the visual appeal is that of a Gem. While never intended to circulate in America, this piece has a profound story to tell about American immigration in the post-Revolutionary period. Philip Parry Price Myddelton controlled a large piece of real estate in Kentucky but, while attempting to people it with useful tradesmen interested in emigrating from England, ran afoul of a British law meant to stop the exporting of valuable laborers. The project ended, but not before the dies for Myddelton’s tokens, executed by Conrad Kuchler at Boulton and Watt, had been executed. The tokens became popular among the collectors of the day, and most were preserved in contemporary British cabinets. Fewer than 20 silver specimens exist today. Most are pretty nice, though few are as richly original as this one.PCGS Population: 6; 7 finer (PR-66 finest).From the Archangel Collection. Earlier, from Stack’s sale of the David Spence Collection, March 1975, lot 769; the Dr. Angus Black Collection; New Netherlands Coin Company’s 60th Sale, December 1968, lot 439.
