© Mark240590
© Mark240590
½ Penny - George Ords Bust and Harp
1834 year| Brass | 7.5 g | 28 mm |
| Issuer | Lower Canada (Canadian provinces) |
|---|---|
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1834 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Pound |
| Composition | Brass |
| Weight | 7.5 g |
| Diameter | 28 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#83895 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 90% |
Reverse
A harp of seven strings surmounted by a Royal crown, date below
Lettering: IRELAND 1834
Edge
Plain
Comment
Weight: 7.3 -7.7gLC-61A - Brass
LC-61B - Copper
Struck in Dublin, the dies were shallow which resulted in shallow legends which rapidly wore out. Making these tokens ideal for transport to Canada. Large numbers of these were found in the famous hoard of tokens sent for safety to Quebec City from Montreal in the weeks before the rebellion of 1837. Originals carry the legends GEORGE ORDs TOKEN // IRELAND 1834.
To qualify as a Canadian token the legends should not be legible. Only weakly struck tokens were shipped to Canada.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token ½ Penny - George Ords (Bust and Harp) 1834 from Lower Canada (Canadian provinces) made of Brass weighing 7.5 g is that it was used as a substitute for the official Canadian currency, the Canadian penny, during a time of currency shortage in the 1830s. This coin was issued by a private company, the Montreal Bank, and was accepted as legal tender in many parts of Lower Canada (now Quebec). Despite its unofficial status, it remained in circulation for many years and is now considered a rare and valuable collector's item.
