Lower Canada 1812 penny token
This specimen was lot 74400 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2025), where it sold for $168. The catalog description[1] noted, "CANADA. Lower Canada. Copper Commerce Penny Token, 1812. George III. PCGS AU-58. Obverse: Laureate bust right; Reverse: Commerce seated left upon bale holding scales and cornucopia, small ship on waters behind." These tokens are dated 1812 and 1813 and similar halfpenny tokens exist. Varieties include open and closed wreath, medal or coin rotation and small and large ships. Numista comments, "These coins first circulated in England before 1817 when they were ordered to be removed from circulation & were shipped to the colonies."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17.1-18.2 g, copper, 34.2-34.6 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: LC-47B1; BR-958.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction: Ancient & World Coins, featuring selections from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
Link to:
- Lower Canada 1812 1/2 penny token Wellington
- Coins and currency dated 1812