Hello again brudenell-ga;
It?s nice to see you again. As always, thank you for allowing me an
opportunity to answer another one of your interesting questions.
What you have here is an 1815 Magdalen Islands Copper Penny Token:
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/bank/english/jul80e.htm
?The Magdalen Islands, a group of 16 islands situated in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence, were discovered by Jacques Cartier during his voyage to
the Gaspe in 1534. The islands were granted to Sir Isaac Coffin in
1787 in recognition of the Boston-born Admiral's loyal service to
Britain during the American War of Independence. Fancying himself
somewhat of a feudal lord, Sir Isaac decided to introduce his own
coinage of pure copper penny and halfpenny tokens to his North
American possessions. In 1815 an issue of penny tokens produced in
Birmingham, England, was sent out to the Magdalens and distributed to
the local fishermen. However, when the British authorities learned
that Coffin had ordered a private coinage, he was duly informed that
the right of coinage was vested only in the Crown. Following this, it
appears that halfpennies were never produced. The choice of subjects
depicted on Coffin's penny token was, and indeed still is,
appropriate. The obverse shows a fur seal, while the reverse features
a split codfish - thus denoting the main resources of the islands. The
reverse also bears the inscription "SUCCESS TO THE FISHERY" and the
denomination "ONE PENNY." It is interesting to note that although
these tokens did not receive royal approval they apparently did
circulate extensively and, as a result, few examples are found in mint
condition. The piece illustrated is slightly smaller than a silver
dollar and is part of the National Currency Collection, Bank of
Canada.?
MAGDALEN ISLANDS: COPPER PENNY TOKEN, 1815
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/bank/english/ejul80.htm
Other tokens similar to this one can be seen here:
TOKENS AND ARMY BILLS
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/bank/english/tknsambl.htm
As for the other token, this is a SHIPS, COLONIES AND COMMERCE token
minted in brass around 1815 (some might have been antedated to reflect
an earlier date). It is most readily recognized Canadian tokens. The
motto, according to legend, reflects a remark made by Napoleon about
how the British Empire could be defeated if only these three things
were conquered. Regarding your question about ?sister? tokens, there
were over 50 different varieties of these coins struck by Halliday,
Heaton, and others so it is impossible to determine precisely how many
were minted. To add to the confusion, the practice of antedating coins
(placing a date on them that was actually a number of year prior to
the actual mint date) makes the total number even more difficult to
accurately estimate. There is a variety that shows a British Flag on
the ship and another with an American flag on the ship (similar to the
one you have ? that is a banner flying brigantine, or ship, on your
coin, by the way). It was most likely struck by the New York mint of
Wright & Bale, but in the image you pointed out it is difficult (if
not impossible) to determine which one of those examples your coin
happens to be. Incidentally, the phrase on the reverse used to say:
?FOR PUBLICK ACCOMMODATION?.
While this one is not quite like the variety you pointed out, it does
happen to be one example of the ?Ships, Colonies and Commerce? tokens
used as ?emergency money? as described in the excerpt below:
IMAGE:
http://www.coinsite.com/content/cdanswers/cdimages/Shipscoloniestoken.jpg
You will, however find one that is very similar token on this
catalogue (item #1014), bearing the reverse statement ?For Publick
Accommodation?, listed for $135.00.
KARL STEPHENS, INC - PRICELIST
http://www.karlstephensinc.com/lists/pricelists/141.pdf
?"Ships Colony and Commerce" tokens were emergency money that passed
as a halfpenny. The issue circulated primarily in Prince Edward Island
between 1830 and the 1860's though they were also known in
Newfoundland, Isle of Man and in Lower Canada. The later pieces with a
well defined sailing ship were designed by Thomas Halliday whose
initial "H" appears on many varieties. An article in the January 1917
Numismatist, the monthly publication of the American Numismatic
Association, by W.A.D. Lees, identifies 54 varieties of SC&C tokens.
There are also pieces that were struck by the New York firm of Wright
& Bale. These tokens often show W & B N.Y. in exergue under the water
line of the ship. Values of these interesting pieces depend on type,
variety and grade: Approximate value range: US $5 - 300.?
THE COIN DOC?s ANSWER ARCHIVE
http://www.coinsite.com/content/cdanswers/cdarchive56.asp
Y9ou might consider contacting the AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION, a
nonprofit organization promoting the study and collection of money for
research, interpretation, and preservation of history and culture from
ancient times to the present, for more insight into these tokens.
AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION
http://www.money.org/index.shtml
Below you will find that I have carefully defined my search strategy
for you in the event that you need to search for more information. By
following the same type of searches that I did you may be able to
enhance the research I have provided even further. I hope you find
that that my research exceeds your expectations. If you have any
questions about my research please post a clarification request prior
to rating the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating and your final
comments and I look forward to working with you again in the near
future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad ? Google Answers Researcher
INFORMATION SOURCES
CANADIAN COLONIAL TOKEN PRESNTATION
http://www.glencoin.com/presentation_to_glendale_coin_club.htm
MAGDALEN ISLANDS: COPPER PENNY TOKEN, 1815
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/bank/english/ejul80.htm
TOKENS AND ARMY BILLS
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/bank/english/tknsambl.htm
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINES USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
COIN, TOKEN, PEI, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, FOR PUBLICK ACCOMMODATION,
SHIPS COLONIES COMMERCE, BR996, PE-9B |
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