I have some questions to pose to Conder specialists and thought I'd perhaps get enlightened about a piece that's long been in my collection. Some years ago, I submitted the piece below to SEGS. Larry Briggs conducted three specific gravity tests and determined it was silver. It's well worn and may have been an abolitionist's pocket piece. Larry graded it F-12. Last year, I took this slabbed coin to a show, that its metal content could be precisely analyzed by electronic testing. The result was 80% SILVER and 16% COPPER. This year, I sent it to NGC. I noted the testing result and suggested they might confirm same. They returned it, SEGS holder intact, saying it was plated!? Initially, I'm wondering about silver Conder tokens in general. I'd just as soon avoid discussing NGC's shoddy snafu until later. I see that there are a few silver-plated Conders on eBay and elsewhere. Nowhere do I see the percentages of their metal content given. I think it's beyond reason to call an 80% silver tokens plated. It occurs to me that Canadian silver coins measure 80%, mixed with other metals as hardeners. Regardless, can anyone point me to a source that discusses silver Conders? BTW, I recently learned that a similar silver slave token exists, a different DH variety, for which the percentage of metal content is unknown.
I didn't think NGC would look at coins still in the SEGS holder--they had to be cracked. Perhaps as it was not raw they could not be sure of the coin so left the holder intact rather than crack it and risk finding it something they could not authenticate. This might be worth a call/email to NGC customer service. As a rule, NGC is pretty helpful though they may have a policy about discussing situations like this (can you imagine if they had to talk to EVERYONE who had coin not cross...yikes). But this is an interesting piece.
I just bought this one it was only 48.00 shipped , so I figured it was a good way to get a start on collecting a few of these Conder tolkens Warwickshire-Birmingham Tolken AU-55 Not sure if it was a fair or good deal but it was cheap to me for a 1700's coin
A worthy addition to your collection! I'm waiting for my Wiltshire Salisbury 24 from the same auction.
Wow, that is a cool one. Hadn't seen that one before. It has an art deco feel on the reverse, but 18th century obverse.