Auction 49 Closed (#3295019)

439 - MILLER NY 239 NGC MS62 30% Bright. Female Preventive Or Morsonic Amulet struck in White Metal 35mm Plain edge. Unlike the more commonly known Boyd's Battery who's wearer was promised purified blood, this Amulet was apparently worn or carried by a pregnant woman to assure a male (More Sons) rather than a female birth. This piece is White Metal while most others were made in three layers, two brass with a lead or other white metal center. Perhaps that unusual composition was needed to generate the needed magnetic or electric fields required to perform the advertised task. This example, possibly made for collectors or as a die trial is made in a solid composition. Exceedingly rare and one of the classic rarities in the Merchant token series that is only represented in Rulau with line drawings. We sold a Raw MS62 of the Brass sandwich type in our March 2008 sale for $3,300. From John Ford and F. C. C. Boyd collections March 1958, earlier from our December 2017 sale, then Raw, where it realized $1,300. (1000-1500)