The Peacock has landed

Since first learning of this cool token from @lordmarcovan trade thread, I have been looking for one on and off. Finally the right example came up for auction and I was able to add it to my collection.



There are a few types that I am aware of; this one HT-M23 has a somewhat different look for the Peacock and it's facing in a different direction (as compared to the M19 and M21...see link at bottom for examples of those two).

Heritage has the following blurb about this piece:

"According to Rulau, HT-M23 was struck in 1906 by Gorham Mfg. Co., on order of jeweler Charles Daniel Peacock. A numismatist obviously had a hand in the design of these pieces, which resurrect the motif of the 1837 Smiths Clock Hard Times type."

And CU member Broadstruck offered this tidbit of info:

"Although actually struck circa 1900-1906 these are part of the Hard Times Token series since Lyman Low included them in his 1906 supplement on the series. The 1837 date on the obverse reflects the year of establishment. This is the scarcer earlier variety on which the high relief peacock's breast feathers did not fully strike up. The more commonly encountered HT-M19 was issued later struck from a completely different obverse die featuring a flat peacock design."

Plus some history:

"The House of Peacock first opened its doors on February 9, 1837, the same year Chicago (population 4,000) was incorporated as a city. [...]"

More here:
https://cdpeacock.com/history/

------------
M19:
http://www.usrarecoininvestments.co...n-time-is-money-ngc-au58bn-7230011_6028_d.htm

M21:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/help-two-cters-work-out-a-token-trade.299621/

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

And another set of pictures to show the toning.
Again a big thank you to @lordmarcovan for inspiring me to acquire this one!

 

I might have to look for one myself.

 

Yours looks Brass @ddddd is that the difference between the m19 and m21?

 

That is one very nice looking token!

 

I love the gorgeous peacock toning on that peacock. That is a fantastic token!

 

I have not found the composition. If anyone finds that, please share.

Here are the main difference I've noticed:
M19: Peacock is looking to the right, date (1837) is inside the inner circle
M21: Peacock is looking to the right, date (1837) is outside the inner circle
M23: Peacock is looking to the left, date (1837) is outside the inner circle

Also the M23 had different feathers vs M19 & M21 as well as showing the full body of the peacock (vs being cut off on the other two).

 

PCGS says that @lordmarcovan is copper. I'd imagine that it has different compositions. I will look in the morning.

 

I did just find this beautiful M19 that sold in 2014 and Stacks writes in their description that one is Copper.

https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/1-1PRED

 

I did find their page on the M23 and that one also mentions copper:
http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/77172

Interestingly enough I also found their page on an M20....in the title it has the word "silver" but composition is also listed as copper...
http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/77175

It would seem like multiple compositions could be possible, but I can't confirm it.

 

That's interesting wish those last two had photos, Maybe you got more zinc on the surface of the coin. It is what they say is the reason for the 97' 98' Lincoln Brassy's.

 

I wish they had photos too! M19 and M21 appear to be the only ones that PCGS has photos of. And M23 you have my photo. The M20 says image coming soon and they have one graded, so maybe the image will pop up at some point?

 

The M20 may be silvered or plated.

 

That is awesome !!

 

I did a lot of searching and was unable to find anything that related these to being made of other compositions.
One that I found to be pretty cool was on CU. The three different styles together. Posted by exojunkie about a third of the way down.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/982966/post-a-medal-or-token-for-the-weekend

 

Thanks for looking! That photo does show all three pretty well.

 

Gold. You're full of gold!