I would welcome opinions as to grade (VG, F or VF?) and value as well as the D&H number and mintage. Token is 30mm with a plain edge. Obverse: African Crown Crane + "The African Crown Crane – Pidcock’s Exhibition" Reverse: Zebra + "Pidcock’s Grand Menagerie – Exeter – Change – London" Thanks!
Middlesex Pidcock's D&H #451 It should be noted that D&H have the obverse/reverse designation the other way around. Have you noticed the spelling of "Exhibition"?
I hadn't noticed the dropped "H" in exhibition, good eyes farthing. Care to assign a grade (VG?) and an approximate value?
As far as a value is concerned - it is in fairly rough shape surface wise. However the Pidcock series is quite popular. I would think the $20-$30 range would be reasonable.
Considering that you found a Pidcock's 1071 with a RRR rarity rating I would say it was money well spent. I would have jumped on that for $100. Good thing I didn't see it first!
The rarest Pidcock's Conder token that I currently own so far, with an R rating... These are the seller's photos, I haven't had time yet to photograph it properly. Cleaned? Quite viciously. Cracked planchet? Looks like a lightning bolt! I still love the look of this half penny and am quite pleased to add it to my collection. They can't all be mint-state!
A "Pidcock" is a Conder token minted by Pidcock's Exhibition, which was essentially a small private zoo in London. Every token (except the one above) features a bird or mammal from the zoo on each side of the coin. The Pidcock's half pennies are Middlesex D&H #414 through 458, quite a range, while the farthings are Middlesex D&H #1064 through 1073. Why they chose Louis 16th is anyone's guess. Either Pidcock's management considered him an animal (doubtful) or they felt sorry for him. He was a decent man during a time when decency was not in vogue.
I really like that cracked planchet. I wish I had one of the Nylghau tokens. Since these were more advertising tokens then substitute currency I imagine that the maker just grabbed a spare die to make another token and ended up with the Louis die in hand. :high5:
