The Five Varieties of Kentucky Tokens
These tokens are undated but were struck in England between 1792 and 1794. They are tokens that have 15 stars on them, set up in a pyramid shape. Each star has the initial of a different state on them. They are called Kentucky tokens often because the top star has a “K” for the state of Kentucky on it.
Some people believe that the reason that the “K” star (for Kentucky) is at the top is due to Kentucky’s admission to the Union in 1792.
The obverse depicts a hand holding an open scroll upon which is inscribed “OUR CAUSE IS JUST.” The reverse has the pyramid of stars, each star having twelve points. The stars are joined together with chain links and each of the stars has rays emanating from it. The stars represent the 13 original colonies and Vermont and Kentucky, which joined the union in 1791 and 1792 respectively. Around the periphery is the legend “UNANIMITY IS THE STRENGTH OF SOCIETY.”
On the reverse, at the top of the pyramid, is a star with a K for Kentucky. The states are listed as follows: top row K (KY); second row RI, VI (RI, VA); third row V, NC, NY (VT, NC, NY); fourth row MS, MD, SC, NH (MA, MD, SC, NH); and the bottom row D, P, NJ, G, C (DE, PA, NJ, GA, CT). Around this design is the popular coin legend “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Out of one many).
There are five (5) major varieties of this Kentucky Token. There are:
- Plain Edge
- Engrailed Edge
- Lettered Edge “PAYABLE IN LANCSTER, LONDON OR BRISTOL”
- Lettered Edge “PAYABLE AT I. FIELDINGS MANCHESTER”
- Lettered Edge “PAYABLE AT BEDWORTH, NUNEATON OR HINKLEY”
Debate exists whether these tokens were popular and circulated freely throughout America or whether these tokens were made primarily for the British collectors, as the highly collectible Conder tokens.
It is believed that the plain edge tokens were put into circulation, as many examples are well worn and have a great deal of circulation. The Engrailed Edge tokens were a special issue and a large number of them that survived are in very high grade, so they obviously were not placed into circulation.
The Lettered Edge tokens were prized by collectors and most of them are in mint state. Only the Payable in Lancaster variety is collectible and available. As the various edge varieties are quite rare, it appears logical that they were struck at the request of collectors. This heightens their value considerably as mintages were very low. Other than the Lancaster token the other known types are rarely if ever seen.
| (1792 – 1794) | Plain Edge | Unknown | $200 | $900 |
| (1792 – 1794) | Engrailed Edge | Unknown | $600 | $2,500 |
| (1792 – 1794) | Payable at Bedworth | Unknown | RARE | VERY RARE |
| (1792 – 1794) | Payable in Lancaster | Unknown | $275 | $800 |
| (1792 – 1794) | Payable at I. Fielding | Unknown | RARE | VERY RARE |
Expand your numismatic horizons today with our assembly of rare United States coins.
