Any experts on the Rhode Island Ship token of 1779? Real or fake?

Been digging on this one for awhile, but have never found any info stating correct weight or many real/fake pictures to compare to. This coin weighs 12.6g. I have found one stated to be fake and the wear pattern matches pretty well. Couldn't get much better pics. Any help is much appreciated!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Not sure if it is real, but I found this pewter 1 on Ebay that is worth big bucks... link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265139938765?hash=item3dbb9265cd:g:n1wAAOSwDGhgiHWe

The slab has labeled it a token.

 

Just found another 1 on Ebay. Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/174634868607?hash=item28a90c9f7f:g:kr8AAOSwtW1gJgVC

 

Just found another that is the brass version. Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124900989873?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20200818143230&meid=8687e4bbfbb94217bce95737d94034a2&pid=101224&rk=4&rkt=5&sd=174634868607&itm=124900989873&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2047675&algv=DefaultOrganicWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1

 

This brass version has no wreath under the ship. Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/384108413546?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20200818143230&meid=eb5073c0d4414a128f68e1b3b0e33017&pid=101224&rk=3&rkt=5&sd=124900989873&itm=384108413546&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2047675&algv=DefaultOrganicWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1

 

I think you should have it checked out at a coin show to find out if it real or not.

 

What for the token experts in here.

 

Here is a copy/fake on Ebay... link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/393649697437?hash=item5ba759b29d:g:WXoAAOSwpeZhdw2G


How much did you pay for yours ?

 

I took it in with a big bunch of coins, i've checked out alot of the listings and researched it quite a bit online, but no one ever has the weight of the real ones. There were 4 different variations, some pewter some brass. Some with wreaths some without. I think the wreath came on the later ones to cover up a mistake they had made under the british ship, depicting it to be fleeing the battle. From what I found they were a British propaganda token, to get the Netherlands to join their cause. Not sure what to do with this, if fake its probably not worth 3 dollars but if real it could be out of this world. I did find one in my research that was stated as fake and the wear on the coin was eerily similar to this one.

 

Certainly no expert on the token, but comparing it to genuine examples there are differences in the alignment of the devices with the legends. It is definitely noticeable by looking at where in the legends the ship masts point. Also on the side with the date, look at how the lowest boat on the right aligns with AUG in the date, totally different. That alone is a red flag, but it also has the appearance of being cast rather than struck.

 

I don't know anything about these token but working from Bowers' book on Colonial coinage:

The branches under the ship indicate this would be either W-1740 (Breen-11141), struck in brass, URS-9 or the much rarer W-1745 (Breen-1142), struck in pewter, URS-5.

Diameter should be 32 mm, plain edge. No weight provided.

Your coin looks a little crude to me so I would have this authenticated by whatever means you think appropriate.

 

That is what I was thinking too, but I also now see what l.cutler mentioned above about the date, must of missed that in my earlier searches. Strange there isn't a single listing or detail about the weight of these. The history behind the token is pretty interesting in my mind. Maybe someone that has a real one will chime in with a weight for them. I think this one is brass, there is a reddish hue coming through the tarnish.

 

https://coinreplicas.com/product/rhode-island-ship-medal-1778-79/

this one you can see how the bottom right ship runs into the AUG of the date as well.

 

But that one is also stamped "copy", the wear is just so similar it seems too unlikely in my mind.

 

Remember, on most of these, copy is stamped after the coin is struck. It also seems to often "forgotten " to be stamped on many.

 

I've been looking for one for a long time now.. to be honest that one is extremly fine... too fine in my book not to sell for thousands... so be very very careful... this is not a cheap or easy coin/token to come by

 

I know nothing about these,but if I were a betting man I say cast copies. Looking at the surfaces it looks cast not made in a press. The surfaces ,lettering all looks off. Puter is a cheap medal ,and it doesn't take real high heat like copper,or bronze does. I be very surprised if it was legitimate.

 

Hey, @Traders101 can you take some more strait on photos, the angles can be difficult to read.

This is a rare token, the fact that yours hasn't been stamped with copy? Doesn't mean a thing, Keep up your research, I will have time tomorrow to help if you are still looking for answers.

Neat token. And one rarely seen.

 

There is just an overall mushiness to the details that make me suspect a counterfeit. Some of the pits on the surface have the look of casting defects. Can't be absolutely certain from the photos, of course.

 

There is definitely some weakness going on. I not sure which way to lean on this one. I think that sending it for attribution would be helpful.