Circa 1842 GW and Plow Token. Uniface. Musante GW-Unlisted, Baker T-505, Low-Unlisted, HT-E420. Rarity-7-. German Silver. Plain edge. AU-58 (PCGS).17.4 mm. 14.3 grains. A lovely example of this charming and very rare token, apparently paying homage to Washingtons own desires to simply be the gentleman farmer of his beloved Mount Vernon, despite the extraordinary life he led. Lovely uniform pewter gray and quite sharp. <p><p>We are aware of the following specimens of this rare piece:<p><p>1.W.W.C. Wilson specimen.<p>2.Garrett Collection (Rulau-Fuld Plate)<p>3.Rulau Hard Times Token Reference Plate<p>4.Dice-Hicks Collection (Stacks, July 2008, lot 3414)<p>5.Dice-Hicks Collection (Stacks, July 2008, lot 3415)<p>6.Merrill C. Berman Collection (Heritage, February 2016, lot 42001)<p>7.William Spohn Baker Collection (the present specimen)<p><p>The Rulau-Fuld reference notes one belonging to Chester Krause, but as his material is now long dispersed, we suspect that it might be one of those listed above. The seven pieces listed appear to all be different specimens, though there are undeniable similarities between the Berman piece and that in the Wilson sale. Interestingly, the Wilson sale specimen was plated, despite being one of three pieces in a group lot, a most unusual treatment.<p><p>The currently offered specimen is centered slightly low and to the left, virtually identical in this respect to the Wilson specimen. Others seem a little better centered, but all are on tight flans. This is the highest grade example we have handled, as it is sharper than both Dice-Hicks specimens, one of which was heavily scratched. The Berman specimen, that in Wilson and apparently the one plated in Rulau-Fuld seem similar to this one in sharpness. Very rare. Lacking any concrete history or context, which is unfortunate for such a neatly made and charming, die-struck token. According to Rulau-Fuld, it was Steve Tanenbaum who attributed this piece to Philadelphia, circa 1842. As it might have only been 40 years old, or thereabouts, when Baker acquired this example, it makes sense that the quality seen here is so nice.<p>Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
