Picked this up from the Ladson SC Coin Show this past weekend. A 1833 Liberia "Ex-Slave" Token Graded AU 55 by PCGS. Population of only 2 with only 1 Grading Higher by PCGS.
NGC online site lists it at $175 in XF and $450 MS-60. Its AU-55. The dealer had it priced $275. I got it for $250
That's a high price (in my mind, because I keep a $50/month budget) but the coin is really cool and a historical piece. I'd be happy with it at that price. I doubt I'll ever see one at a show or store.
I used to have one but sold it on eBay. Little depressing that you guys have never seen one before since I tried the BST in January. Offered at $75 back then BTW
Indeed. Quite an interesting issue. Here is a proof 1847 Liberian cent, which I believe was their first regular issue coin. This one (PCGS PR65 BN) happens to be the finest graded at either PCGS or NGC. It is one of the nicer coins in my collection.
That is a very awesome coin. I don't know if I have the discipline to reduce my collection to so few coins. I might one day find the fortitude to part with my world collection and try something like this. Some day...
I think the bottom line is if you bought it and your happy then it's no problem. Many people could have 10 different answers to this and only your matters.
Can someone explain the meaning behind these tokens back in the day? Was it for collectors? Was it used to commemorate something?
Well, the 1833 token commemorated the resettlement of free African Americans to Liberia, but it had a monetary function. Note that it has the "one penny" denomination on it. Why is that considered a token when the 1847 Liberian cent I posted is considered a coin? Well, that's because Liberia gained independence in 1847. So my 1847 cent was the first official coin struck by the Liberian government. The 1833 token was struck before independence by the American Colonization Society, which I suppose counts as a private entity rather than a government. Hence the reason the 1833 piece is a token while the 1847 piece is a coin.
Not to throw a wrench at you, LordM, but the issues of outfits like the East India Company are considered coins, aren't they? And they were a private company. So how do those differ from these?