Charles II brass-copper Token touching ceremony, AU53, ex Gregory

Charles II (1660-85), Touching ceremony ticket-token, struck in brass with a copper centre, undated, three masted ship in sail, six pointed star below, toothed border both sides, legend surrounds from bottom left CAR.II. D.G. M.B. FR .ET. HI. REX, rev struck en médaille, St Michael and dragon, six pointed star below, SOLI DEO GLORIA, edge plain, 29mm, weight 10.15g, (Peck. 499; Woolf BNJ 1979, p.108-09). Toned, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as AU53 and the only example graded, rare.

NGC certification 6946209-001 - currently the only example third party graded and therefore the finest.

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Charles the second by the Grace of God and King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" and on the reverse as "Glory to God alone."

These pieces were issued in connection with the touching ceremonies, made in a combination of metals as a safeguard against imposters who may have attempted to gain access to any ceremonies with a forged pass. Recorded in Silver, Copper, Brass, also in Copper with Brass centre and Brass with copper centres. They have the same designs and legends as the gold touchpieces of Charles II, with the St Michael design from the same puncheon of the earlier touchpieces. See Peck, p.136-37 for further information.

Provenance:

Ex Gregory Collection part 1, Baldwin Auction 44, 2^nd May 2006, lot 465.