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Sou Birmingham - 32 laurel leaves / 2 shamrocks
| Issuer | Lower Canada |
|---|---|
| Year | 1835-1838 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 7.6 g |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | ☩ AGRICULTURE & COMMERCE ☩ BAS - CANADA |
| Reverse description | Central field displays the denomination UN SOU in two lines within an open wreath of 32 laurel leaves tied at the base with a ribbon bow, with two shamrocks at the junction. The word TOKEN arches across the upper field and MONTREAL curves along the lower field, both within the beaded border. The wreath is rendered with fine detail, its leaves arranged symmetrically on either side. A continuous beaded rim frames the entire design. |
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| Additional information |
The so-called "Birmingham sous" were struck by private manufacturers in Birmingham, England, and imported into Lower Canada to fill a chronic shortage of small change that the colonial administration repeatedly failed to address. This particular variety — distinguished by its count of 32 laurel leaves and 2 shamrocks — is one of several die combinations catalogued by Breton, the differences meaningful to specialists and invisible to the habitant farmer or Montreal merchant who actually spent them.
The colonial government officially condemned these tokens as irregular currency, then looked the other way while commerce depended on them entirely.