Undated (ca. 1797) Theatre at New York Token. W-9080. Rarity-6. MS-65 RB (NGC).

The Exceptional Boyd-Ford Theatre at New York Token Undated (ca. 1797) Theatre at New York Token. W-9080. Rarity-6. MS-65 RB (NGC). A superb example of this popular late 18th century token rarity, one struck in England but depicting the Park Theatre in New York City as it was in 1797. We last offered this piece in our 2004 Ford II sale, where it was described as: A really lovely example of this popular Conder token. The obverse shows about 50% of the original mint red around the theatre building and the periphery while the reverse has traces of mint color in the protected areas. Elsewhere, the obverse is a light brown while the reverse is darker in the center. Nice and sharp, with the brickwork inside the arches on the theatre building showing clearly, the eagle on the pediment bold and the gunports of the vessels in the distance on the reverse quite clear. Struck from a fairly early state of the reverse, the die quite clearly buckled on the right and sinking, but FLOURISH still fully legible and the surface not raised very high. Since that time, this piece has remained atop the NGC Census and tied for finest on the PCGS Population Report. The Syd Martin Proof-64+ BN (PCGS) is the only example we've sold in the last seven years. This appears to be the first auction appearance for an example in this lofty grade. The Theatre at New York token has been popular in American circles for a long time. The American Journal of Numismatics, April 1868, noted, "This rare and interesting token represents the Park Theatre, destroyed by fire May 25, 1820, but afterwards rebuilt in a style somewhat different from that of the building exhibited on the coin." The cornerstone was laid on May 5, 1795, on Chatham Row, New York City. At first called the New Theatre, the facility officially opened on Monday, January 29, 1798. Featured was Shakespeare's As You Like It, preceded by an address by Mr. Hodgkinson and a prelude by Mr. Milne, and followed by "Purse, or American Tar," a musical entertainment. Up to about 2,300 people could be seated. In 1806 the building was sold to John Jacob Astor and John K. Beekman for $50,000. They were the owners at the time of the fire. This token was probably issued in 1798, when passion in England for collecting Conder tokens was fading rapidly. The dies were executed by Benjamin Jacob, a Birmingham engraver, auctioneer, and ironmonger. Coining was accomplished at a factory operated by Peter Skidmore, in partnership with his father John, at 15 Coppice Row, Clerkenwell, London from 1797 to 1809. The penny size is unusual in the context of Conder-style tokens and was part of a series of Skidmore issues of this format, illustrating various buildings. About 20 of these are known, most in fairly high grades as they were not intended to circulate. This one is unquestionably several steps above a typical survivor. Provenance: From the Winslet Collection. Earlier ex F.C.C. Boyd collection; Boyd estate; John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part II, May 2004, lot 327. PCGS# 90659. Click here for certification details from NGC.

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