Undated (ca. 1805) William Woart Token. Rulau-E Ma 90. Rarity-9. White Metal. MS-62 (PCGS).
28.7 mm. 146.5 grains. A fascinating and mysterious early American token. The existence of the William Woart token was first made known to recent generations of collectors when published by William T. Anton, Jr. in the October 1985 issue of The Colonial Newsletter. However, subsequent research has uncovered mentions of this token as far back as the 1860s, in Alfred H. Satterlee's 1862 reference on American tokens and medals (page 82) as well as lot 1800 in W. Elliot Woodward's April-May 1863 sale catalog. In a March 17, 2016 blog post, Mike Wierzba related much of the current knowledge regarding this token and its probable issuer. There was a William Woart (1772 or 1773-1841) of Newburyport, Massachusetts who was listed as a notary public and Justice of the Peace in several almanacs beginning in 1805 until at least 1830. The legend JUS. PACIS is almost certainly a Latin abbreviation for Justice of the Peace and fairly conclusively narrows down the identity of the subject to this particular William Woart. As to the question of why the tokens were made, Wierzba hypothesizes it could have been a business card of sorts or perhaps an impression from a die for his judicial wax seal. Syd Martin collected this piece along side his Massachusetts coppers as the standing Indian motif bears a striking resemblance to that on the Massachusetts half cents and cents. To our eyes, the engraving style, proportions, and overall appearance of the Indian most closely resembles 1787 half cent obverse 4. It is interesting to note that Jacob Perkins, one of the engravers of the Massachusetts copper dies, was living in Newburyport at the same time as Woart, up until 1818. There are just two examples known: the October 1985 CNL plate coin and the present piece which was mentioned in the November 1994 CNL. Those mentioned in the 1862 Satterlee work and the 1863 Woodward sale may or may not be these same specimens. The condition is excellent, the surfaces showing no trace of wear, minimal tin pest, and much of their original flashy brilliance. An exciting offering for both Massachusetts copper enthusiasts and collectors of early American exonumia.
PCGS# 902592.
From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Coin Galleries') February 1993 Mail Bid Sale, lot 2020; Dennis Wierzba; Mike Wierzba (New England Rarities), March 2016.