1820s Upper Canada Lesslie & Sons Halfpenny Trade Token – Breton 718

Early Canadian colonial copper merchant token issued by Lesslie & Sons, merchants operating in York (present-day Toronto), Kingston and Dundas.

Token Details

* Country: Upper Canada (present-day Ontario)
* Period: Approximately 1820s; undated
* Denomination: Halfpenny
* Issuer: Lesslie & Sons
* Composition: Copper
* Catalog: Breton 718 / Charlton UC-2A series
* Mintage: Unknown
* Rarity: Collectible colonial issue; five recognized major varieties, exact variety unconfirmed
* Condition: Heavily circulated, with dark patina, considerable wear and faint central details

Design

Obverse: Standing figure of Justice with scales and sword, surrounded by the merchant’s name and locations.

Reverse: Plough with the inscription “PROSPERITY TO CANADA,” together with “TOKEN HALFPENNY” and the French motto “LA PRUDENCE ET LA CANDEUR.”

Historical Significance

An early Canadian trade token issued when privately produced copper tokens helped provide small change in colonial commerce.

An interesting piece of pre-Confederation Canadian history.

Please review all photographs for exact condition. You will receive the token pictured.