ROBERT LOVETT JR. MERCHANT TOKENS
STEPHEN GIRARD TOKENS AND MEDALS
Stephen Girard Medal
Silver, 32mm
(From PCAC Auction December 1991)
IMAGE NEEDED
Copper, 32mm
Brass (69.2% copper, 30.8% zinc), 31mm
White Metal, 32 mm
Copper, uniface, 31.06mm
Copper, overstruck on a British Penny, 31mm
Stephen Girard Tokens
PA 330, white metal- plain edge, 32mm
PA 331, white metal- reeded edge, 32mm |
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PA 332, brass - plain edge, thick planchett (3.15mm), 31mm
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PA 335, copper - reeded edge, 32mm
SEIGE OF BOSTON TOKENS
The Washington on horseback image created by Robert Jr is very
reminiscent of the Washington Before Boston Medal of Pierre DuVivier and
is placed in the same chapter in Baker's 'Medallic Portraits of
Washington'. This die was used on his merchant tokens as well as his
Historic Series and muled with several other Washington dies.
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Pa 337, brass, plain edge, 32mm
IMAGE NEEDED
Pa 339, brass, reeded edge, 32mm
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Pa 340, white metal, reeded edge, 32mm
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Pa 341, white metal, plain edge, 32mm
IMAGE NEEDED
Pa 342, copper, reeded edge, 32mm
Pa 343, copper nickel, reeded edge, 32mm
IMAGE NEEDED
Pa 343A, silver, 32mm
SEATED MINERVA TOKENS
PA 346, copper, 38mm
Pa 347, white metal, 38mm
IMAGE NEEDED
ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON TOKENS
At 15 mm these tokens were some of the smallest produced by any
merchant of this era. The St. George and the Dragon die was combined
with 3 different dies announcing Robert Jr's business. The St. George
and the Dragon image is a copy of a design by the celebrated Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci first used on British sovereigns in 1817 and still in use today.
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Pa 348, german silver (66.01% copper, 22.99% zinc, 9.42%nickel, 1.58% silver), plain edge, 15mm
Pa 349, copper, plain edge, 15mm
(image courtesy of Steve Hayden)
Pa 350, brass, 15mm
Pa 350, brass, 15mm
Pa 350a, german silver, reeded edge, 15mm
(image courtesy of Steve Hayden)
Pa 350b, copper nickel, 15mm
(image courtesy of Steve Hayden)
Pa 351, german silver, plain edge, 15mm
Pa 351, german silver, reeded edge, 15mm
Pa 351a, copper, plain edge, 14.8mm
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Pa 351a, copper, reeded edge, 15mm
IMAGE NEEDED
Pa 352, german silver, reeded edge, 15mm
Pa 352, german silver, plain edge, 15mm
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PHRYGIAN CAP OR LIBERTY HEAD TOKENS
This is probably
Robert Lovett, Jr's most well known design, having been used on the
Confederate Cent struck by him as well as several other merchant tokens.
The soft, conical cap was associated with the residents of Phrygia, a
region of ancient Anatolia. In parts of the Roman Empire it symbolized
liberty and the pursuit of freedom. It was later used by revolutionary
movements in France, the American colonies, and South American nations.
Marble bust of Attis, 2nd century BC
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Unlisted - type of PA 353, silver, 19mm
One of the
rarest of Robert Lovett Jr's works. This piece is from Steve Hayden's
Sale #33, ex Henry South Collection from Bowers and Merena March 1985.
Joe Levine sold an example in his 1995 sale and commented in his
description
"several other silver pieces are known, but this is
the first to appear at auction in a considerable time." One other
example sold in a Bowers and Auction in November, 1999. I would like to
establish a rarity for this piece so anyone knowing of any other
examples please contact me.
I currently know of 3 silver examples of this token, including the one above (December 23, 2012)
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PA 353, copper, 19mm
PA 354, brass, 19mm
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This is the piece
that started it all! Back in January of 2004 I was happily collecting
small cents and life was good. Then I saw an ad in Numismatic News by
Jonathan Kern offering this token for sale. I had some of the Bashlow
restrikes in my collection just as novelties that were associated with
U.S. small cents and thought this would be an interesting addition.
Little did I know where it would lead. Thanks Jonathan - I think.
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Pa 356, nickel(?), 19mm
The Standard Catalog of U.S. Tokens, 3rd Edition, list a nickel variety for this storecard but dealers and collectors I have talked to have never seen an example. I am going to assume this was a mis-identification. Anyone with knowledge of an example in this metal please contact me. |
Pa356A, white metal, 19mm
Rulau gives the
white metal example the same value as copper and brass examples,
indicating it should be found in similar numbers to these. My research
shows it to be nearly as scarce as the silver pieces, or at least it
comes up for sale very rarely.
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Unlisted - type of Pa 353, gilt, 19mm
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(image courtesy of Mike Nowak)
Unlisted (unknown?) Robert Lovett Jr. Merchant Token
White metal, 24.7mm
This piece was in the Harry W. Bass Jr. Sale, Part 1, Session 3, lot 2117 on May 9, 1999. The description reads "
One 24.7 mm white metal. Especially rare, at least to
our perception. The condition is EF, but some misguided anti-numismatist
has peppered it with pinpricks. That said, the rarity may overwhelm
this consideration, making it a worthwhile acquisition. The obverse
depicts an Indian in headdress astride an eagle, and carrying a flag.
To acquaint everyone but the lot viewers and purchaser with this
unusual piece, it is illustrated above". If anyone knows anything about
this piece, or it's whereabouts, please contact me.