Breen-1055, D&H-167 variety, considered to be Rarity-6.

An interesting piece, struck in England as part of the Middlesex Conder series but long collected as part of the American colonial series due to its New York theme. And it is a particularly impressive token in hand, of the ample size and weight of an English Penny of the period (equivalent to an undated Washington Liberty & Security Penny for colonial collectors wishing a more familiar reference point).

Based on a February, 1993 Colonial Newsletter article by friend Don Scarinci, the total population of Theatre Tokens has generally been described in catalogs since as 13 pieces, though our own proprietary census data includes 18 distinct examples.

Even using our higher population figure, this token ranks among the rarest pieces in the entire colonial series and essentially on par with pieces like the Washington Roman Head (itself a Conder token and, in recent auctions, a 6-figure item).

And this is a spectacular example.  The surfaces are deeply mirrored and all but pristine, with just some scattered die chips on the upper reverse  – as made – to possibly explain the PCGS grade of 64.  In our view, this is a gem, and the finest single example we’ve ever seen.

Of the known specimens, just four or five exhibit any original mint red, with this one as red as any we have ever seen.  Perhaps 15% of the original color remains on the obverse and 25% on the reverse, intermingled with some pretty toning in shades of purple and hints of hunter green and golden orange.

Stunning, in a word, especially in the context of a very rare piece which  – when it is seen at all – is likely to be dull, dark brown.

$35,000

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