Owner Comments:
TOKEN APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Almost Uncirculated+ — Octagonal Shaped
*A pleasing problem-free untoned example of a scarce issue and denomination - Attractive eye-appeal for a piece on the border of circulated/uncirculated. Additionally, the design of the “cents” symbol on the reverse is interesting and unique. - Nearly uncirculated in a grade of AU-58 by NGC. If not for the “ever so slight” wear on the highest points of the devices and the T in “ST” on the obverse, it is likely the token would have been designated MS-60.*
TOKEN BACKGROUND:
Token used by “W.O. Leslie” in Denver, CO for 12.5C in trade circa 1897-1914 (sourced from the Denver Business Directory). The establishment was located at 230 16th Street, as shown on the obverse.
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Out of the entire W.O. Leslie series, there are three known 5C varieties; Type 1: brass with ¢ across '5'; Type II: brass, and Type III: aluminum), all are notably rare with an estimated survival rate between ~1-14 amongst all three. Both the 5C brass Type II and aluminum Type III are included in this collection (DE4690-5b and DE4690-5c). It should be noted only 1 example of the brass with ¢ across '5' variety (DE4690-5a) is bleieved to exist, making it extremely rare. — I hope to eventually obtain all three. The final issue of the W.O. Leslie series is an octagonal 12.5C variety which is also included in this collection.
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Of the 3 W.O. Leslie 5C varieties, 2 are included in this collection (Type II & III), along with the 12.5C issue shown here. All are problem-free. Therefore, only the 5C Type III is missing. Their details are listed below:
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- Pritchard DE4690-5a/CMT UNL (5C Type I: Brass with ¢ across '5' - Round): ~1 Known (N/A)
- Pritchard DE4690-5b/CMT UNL (5C Type II: Brass - Round): ~14 Known (NGC MS-62)
- Pritchard DE4690-5c/CMT UNL (5C Type II: Aluminum - Octagonal): ~9 Known (NGC MS-61)
- Pritchard DE4690-12/CMT UNL (12.5C: Aluminum - Octagonal): ~12 Known (NGC AU-58)
CATALOG NUMBER(S):
Pritchard DE4690-12
CMT UNL
RARITY: Pritchard estimates ~12 examples are known
NGC Census not available.
TOKEN DESCRIPTION:
(Aluminum, 24mm, Octagonal, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: W.O. Leslie / 230 / 16th St.
REVERSE: Good for / 12½¢ / in Trade
HISTORICAL TOWN/CITY BACKGROUND:
(Denver, Colorado):
"Industrious people used to pan for gold that washed off the capital building roof until the state put a gold recovery system in to recover gold leafing weathered off the building.” — Credited Source: Stuart Pritchard