Catalog
| Issuer | Nova Scotia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1814 |
| Type | Emergency coin |
| Value | 1 Penny (1⁄240) |
| Currency | Pound (1812-1860) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 16.6 g |
| Diameter | 33.6 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | CCT#NS-20B, Breton His#962 |
| Obverse description | Commerce seated left, holding laurel sprig in right hand and a winged caduceus in the left hand; a ship in the distance. The top half of the vertical binding cord on the bale closest to the dress of Commerce is obscured by her dress. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | TRADE & NAVIGATION 1814 |
| Reverse description | Lettering surrounding circle containing value. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | PURE COPPER PREFERABLE TO PAPER . ONE PENNY TOKEN |
| Edge | Engrailed, plain |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1814 - NS-20B1 - 1814 - NS-20B2 - 1814 - NS-20B3 - |
| Numisquare ID | 4518085160 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1814 Nova Scotia 1 Penny was issued under King George III during the late Georgian era, a period marked by the War of 1812. Nova Scotia, a British colony, faced a chronic official currency shortage. This "Non-local/Trade and Navigation" token was commissioned to alleviate this scarcity, facilitating commerce and stabilizing the local economy amidst wartime. It served as a crucial medium of exchange, highlighting the colony's economic reliance on maritime trade.
Artistry: While the engraver is typically unrecorded, the token adheres to the utilitarian, classically-influenced British token coinage style of the early 19th century. The obverse features a laureate bust of King George III, a standard motif signifying allegiance. The reverse prominently displays a sailing ship, a powerful symbol of Nova Scotia’s maritime identity and its economic dependence on sea trade. The legend "TRADE AND NAVIGATION" explicitly reinforces this vital economic function.
Technical/Grading: Key high-points for assessing strike quality include the hair and laurel leaves on George III’s bust, and the mastheads, rigging, and sails of the ship. Due to token production methods, strikes vary significantly. Strong examples exhibit sharp details in these areas, while weaker strikes often show flatness, particularly on opposing sides. Planchet quality can also impact appearance, with some examples displaying minor surface imperfections. The substantial copper planchet often resulted in less uniform strikes across its broad surface.