Hey, I have this coin, as well as the same one from 1813. This one is an 1815 Half Penny Token. From what I have heard, this is from lower canada. Is there any information anyone knows about this or how much it is worth?
Im struggling with trying to understand if this is a lower Canada token. I say no-way Jose, its got American written all over it.
That looks like a Federalist eagle to me--not a very Canadian symbol? Interesting with the eagle on one side, and Britannia on the other...since the US was at war with Britain in 1815. Just some random thoughts...I don't really know the origin.
Honestly....I have never seen an eagle associated with Canada. Even tho Canada wasn't a country then, it was British ruled, and once again I have never associated an eagle with the Brits. Germans and Polish..yea. If you scroll down on the attached limk it talks about Lower canada token, tho you don't get a cut and dry answer. Hopefully someone can ring in and clarify. On another note, id really like to learn more about them..so much history . http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/PrinterFriendly.cfm?Params=A1ARTA0001743
Lower Canada. Charlton# LC-54D1(counterclockwise wreath). VG C$10 F C$15. 6.1-6.5grams Originals are dated 1813 and weigh 8.8grams From Charlton... "The imitations of the Spread Eagle Token appeared after 1825 and were antedated...." "The eagle was not a popular symbol for a coin design in 1813. The war of 1812-4 was at its height and during this period with the Canadian colonies in the midst of an American invasion, the original issue was not well received."
Either the imitation- LC-54B1 5.5-6.5gms C$8 in VG, or the original- LC-54A 8.8gms C$7 in VG. Looks like the imitation to me, but I'm not sure from the pictures. Information is from the book "Canadian Colonial Tokens", published by Charlton Press.
I have several of these, both original and re-strikes / counterfeits (?). Found this on-line from the Glendale Coin Club: "Spread Eagle Tokens -- this is a series that began with an 1813 original that was struck by a Boston merchant who settled in Montreal, and were struck over the tokens of Bristol merchant Samuel Guppy. The originals were not at first well received because of the use of the eagle, an American symbol; remember that the War of 1812 had just concluded. Light weight imitations appeared about 1825 or later and were dated 1813, 1814, and 1815." http://www.glencoin.com/presentation_to_glendale_coin_club.htm
