The Six Varieties of London Elephant Tokens
The origin of the “London Elephant Tokens” is shrouded in mystery. The actual dates of minting may have been 1672 to 1694. These tokens bear the motto “GOD PRESERVE LONDON” and no one is certain whether it was a general plea for divine protection or the results of the plague in London in 1665 or the Great Fire that also ravaged London in 1666.
While these tokens were not intended for distribution in the Colonies, a good number of them have been located there and many have circulation, as evidence of their use in America. The design is simplistic in nature.
The obverse depicts a large, African elephant with long tusks. The reverse has the shield of the City of London and around it is “GOD – PRESERV – LONDON” or simply “LON – DON”. There are six major varieties.
The Tower Mint in London produced these halfpenny tokens for use in England. There also are related New England and Carolina Elephant tokens. The dies may have been cut by John Rottier, who was the Chief Engraver at the Tower Mint at that time.
Every known variety of Elephant Token has a large, tusked, African elephant on the obverse. Some varieties of the coins were struck on thick or thin planchets and some have a milled border while most do not.
The six major types are as follows:
| Date | Type | Mintage | VG Value | AU Value |
| (1694) | GOD PRESERVE London – Thick Planchet | Unknown | $400 | $2,500 |
| (1694) | GOD PRESERVE LONDON – Thin Planchet | Unknown | $850 | $10,000 |
| (1694) | As above – but struck in Brass | Unique | Priceless | Priceless |
| (1694) | GOD PRESERV LONDON – Diagonals in Ctr | Unknown | $800 | $12,000 |
| (1694) | Sword in 2nd Quarter of Shield | Unknown | $15,000 | $35,000 |
| (1694) | LON – DON | Unknown | $1,250 | $17,500 |
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