Owner Comments:
If one had to select a metal from which to fashion coins, tin would be an unlikely candidate. When tin is exposed to low temperatures, it begins to deteriorate, resulting in unsightly powdery blotches called "tin pest" (or alpha tin). Despite this, a contingent of well connected tin mine owners from Cornwall and Devonshire England lobbied for such use, particularly after the depressed market from 1679 to 1680. During the reigns of Charles II and James II, the crown was induced to coin tin farthings for domestic use. Thereafter, tin farthings and halfpennies were produced while William and Mary ruled.
In 1688, shortly before he was dethroned by William of Orange, and fled to France, James II was petitioned by Richard Holt, an agent for Cornish tin mine owners, for the creation of a colonial coinage that would become known as the American Plantation Tokens. Although more than 100,000 of these pieces may have been minted, there is no surviving evidence that a "patent" authorizing their production and distribution to the American colonies was ever issued. The tokens were composed of 97.5% tin, a silvery white metal. Dies were cut by John Roettier, an accomplished engraver at the Royal Mint.
The obverse of the token displays a likeness of James II on horseback, in a rearing posture. The periphery contains an abbreviated legend that translates into: James II by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland.
The reverse features 4 crowned heraldic shields connected by chains. Extending clockwise from 12 o'clock, are the shields of England (with 3 couchant lions); Scotland (with rampant lion); France (with 3 fleurs-de-lys); and Ireland (with a harp).The number of strings on the harp varies from 5 to 11, and is a major means of distinguishing the several die varieties. The reverse also depicts the value of the token at 1/24 of a Spanish real (rather than in pence). Since Spanish coinage was so well received by the colonists, it was hoped this would facilitate their acceptance in commerce.
Some unusual die varieties include the obverse abbreviating HB for Hibernia instead of the intended HIB; and a transposition of the Irish and Scottish shields on the reverse.
In 1828, Matthew (Mathias) Young, a London coin dealer, acquired original American Plantation Token dies. He sold most of these dies to the British Museum, but retained some to produce a few hundred restrikes, the bulk of which are of the 5D variety, with a lesser number of the 4D and 4E varieties.
Because of William and Mary's rapid ascension to the throne with James II's
concurrent departure, it is uncertain how many, if any, American Plantation Tokens made it to the shores of America. At least one specimen has been unearthed in Jamestown, Virginia.
The token pictured above has been graded MS 63 by PCGS, and is one of only 3 graded at this highest level. The restrikes have generally survived in much better condition than the originals. The restrikes, made of only 85-90% tin, coupled with other metals, (i.e. pewter-like) made them less vulnerable to develop tin pest.