© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
½ Penny Sloop Token - Commercial Change, Cask
1821 year| Copper | 6.4 g | 27.4 mm |
| Issuer | Upper Canada (Canadian provinces) |
|---|---|
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1821 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Pound |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 6.4 g |
| Diameter | 27.4 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#99930 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Cask marked "JAMAICA" with lettering above and date below.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
COMMERCIAL CHANGE
1821
Edge
Reeded
Comment
Weight: 6.4 - 6.5gDiameter: 27.2 - 27.6mm
The Sloop Tokens appear after 1825, some being openly antedated to evade the law of 1825 against private tokens. The law was openly ignored in Upper Canada, who were secure in their relative isolation from the commercial and political centre of Lower Canada.
At the time, the sloop was the chief means of transportation on the Great Lakes and far more reliable than any form of land transport. Rev. Henry Scadding said this sloop was a portrayal of the packet "Duke of Richmond", owned by a man named Oates.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token ½ Penny (Sloop Token - Commercial Change, Cask) 1821 from Upper Canada (Canadian provinces) made of Copper weighing 6.4 g is that it was used as a form of currency in the Canadian provinces during a time when there was a shortage of official currency. The coin was issued by private companies and was accepted as legal tender by many merchants. This coin is a rare and valuable collector's item today, with some examples selling for thousands of dollars at auction.
