Top 10 most valuable Canadian tokens sold at auction in 2023
By thecanadiannumismatist | Sunday, December 17, 2023
Here's the Top 10 most valuable Canadian tokens sold at auction in 2023. Most of these come from either Doug Robins or Donald G. Partrick collections. Prices are in Canadian currency.
#1 - $10,217 - 1/2 penny 1813 - Trade & Navigation - NGC AU-55
From the Doug Robins collection of Canadian tokens mostly which sold in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
This exact token sold for only $1,250 in April 2018. With plain edge, it was struck over a Bristol half penny.
1/2 penny 1813 - Trade & Navigation »
#2 - $9,560 - 1/2 penny 1814 - Trade & Navigation - NGC AU-55
Also from the Doug Robins collection of Canadian tokens. Plain edge and possibly unique.
The current description of this variety in the Charlton as being Plain edge and Coinage alignment is based of this piece, from very rusty dies, indicating that the coins were stored a long time before having that piece struck.
This exact token also sold for only $1,250 in April 2018.
1/2 penny 1814 - Trade & Navigation »
#3 - $7,170 - 1 penny 1838 - Bank of Montreal - AU-58 NGC
One of the finest known of its type (MS-62) sold 2020 for $13,770.
One of the finest known of its type. During the first half of the 19th century there was a chronic shortage of small coins in Lower Canada. In 1835, following a government decision to remove all the lightweight pieces from circulation, the shortage became acute. No official coins were issued but the Bank of Montreal and other banks were given authority to issue penny and halfpenny tokens like this one.
1 penny 1838 - Bank of Montreal »
#4 - $5,975 - 1/2 penny 1839 - Bank of Montreal - MS-62 Brown NGC
This exact token sold for $4,800 in last year. An AU-50 ICCS example also sold for $4,182 in 2023.
1/2 penny 1839 - Bank of Montreal »
#5 - $5,676 - Weir & Larminie - CCCS AU-50
A similar token sold in 2022 for $5,975. This one is encased with a 10 cents postage stamp.
Issued towards the end of the year 1862, by a firm of exchange brokers, of which the head of the firm, Mr. Wm. Weir, was the President and General Manager of La Banque Ville Marie, at Montreal. When specie payment was suspended in the United States, the people found it so difficult to get change that they had stamps encased.
#6 - $5,080 - Frances McDermott - NGC MS-63
Finest-known. Issued about 1855 and considered very rare. The Frances McDermott's firm have only been a short time in business and he used this token as a business card.
Frances McDermott - St. John »
#7 - $4,840 - 1/2 penny 1838 - Bank of Montreal - AU-58 NGC
This exact token sold in July 2020 for $3,860.
Previous important sales:
1/2 penny 1838 - Bank of Montreal »
#8 - $4,780 - Ship 1858 - NGC AU-58
This token was issued by a Newfoundland merchant. This exact token, from the Donald G. Partrick Collection, sold in April 2021 for $3,600.
#9 - $4,780 - Penny 1815 Magdalen Island - NGC PF-62 Red and Brown
This exact token sold in September 2019 for $4,435.
After the American revolution the Magdalen Islands were granted to Sir Isaac Coffin, who only once visited his American possessions ; this was in 1815. Before starting he ordered a large number of these coins and a coining press from Sir Edward Thomason, of Birmingham.
These he brought to the Islands and distributed the coins by way of loans among the chief men in the Islands. It was his purpose to set up a mint and coin half-pennies as well, but no other coin than the above was ever issued.
#10 - $4,481 - Un Sous Bank Token - NGC VF-25
From the Doug Robins Collection, this exact coin sold for $1,715 in 2018.
Bouquet - Un Sou - Tokens - Identification Guide »
Previous years
Pictures by Heritage Auctions, NGC and The Canadian Numismatic Company.
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