1/2 Penny / 1 Sou City Bank
| Issuer | Lower Canada |
|---|---|
| Year | 1837 |
| Type | Emergency coin |
| Value | 1 Sou = 1/2 Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Pound |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 7.8 g |
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | CCT#LC-7, Breton His#673 |
| Obverse description | Bouquet of wheat, thistles, rosebud, shamrocks, etc. surrounded by lettering. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | TRADE & AGRICULTURE *LOWER CANADA* |
| Reverse description | Value surrounded by wreath with cherry leaves to left and palm leaves to right, lettering top and bottom. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | BANK TOKEN 1/2 PENNY MONTREAL |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (1837) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 2079960400 |
| Additional information |
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Historical Context: The 1837 1/2 Penny / 1 Sou City Bank token from Lower Canada signifies a period of acute economic and political turmoil. Issued by the City Bank of Montreal, this copper token directly addressed the severe shortage of official currency in British North America. Its circulation coincided with the Lower Canada Rebellion, underscoring significant societal tension. Such private tokens were crucial for facilitating daily commerce, acting as a vital substitute for scarce imperial coinage within the developing colonial economy.
Artistry: The design of this 1/2 Penny / 1 Sou token exemplifies the practical, utilitarian aesthetic of early 19th-century colonial coinage. Engra