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Country: Montreal, Canadian provinces
(Bas-Canada)
Type: Token (Scarce)
Year: (1838)
Value: 1 Sou = 1/480 Pound (1/480)
Currency: Pound
Composition: Copper
Weight: 8.9 g
Diameter: 27 mm
Thickness: 1.8 mm
Grade: VF20
Shape: Round
Orientation: Medal alignment
Demonetized: Yes
References: KM# Tn4; CCT# LC-5A1, Breton# 715
Obverse:
Bouquet of wheat, thistles, rosebud, maple leaf, etc. surrounded by lettering.
Lettering:
AGRICULTURE & COMMERCE
BAS-CANADA
Reverse:
Wreath of Maple leaves around value
Lettering:
BANQUE DU PEUPLE
UN SOU
MONTREAL
Edge:
Reeded
Comments:
Weight: 7.8 - 9.3g
Diameter: 27.3 - 28mm
LC-5A1 Open wreath, Large bow, Reeded
LC-5A2 Open wreath, Large bow, Plain
LC-5A3 Closed wreath, Small bow, Reeded
LC-5A4 Closed wreath, Small bow, Plain
LC-5A5 Closed wreath, Large bow, Reeded
LC-5A6 Closed wreath, Large bow, Plain
Struck in Belleville, New Jersey. Dies cut by John Gibbs. Thomson identified over 20 different varieties.
Cast copies exist.
The Banque du Peuple was organized in 1835 by reformists (including French and Scottish) whom were excluded from the Tory (conservatives) dominated Bank of Montreal's board of directors. They operated as a private bank; Viger, DeWitt & Cie., until it was granted a charter in 1844 and remained in business until 1895. This token is the famous "Rebellion Sou" as it was believed that the "star and liberty cap" were added to the design at the instigation of bank personnel who sympathized with the rebel cause. All the bank's directors were real or suspected rebels in late 1837 and warrants were issued for their arrest.
Found on thin and thick flans.
Minor variation: the "B" of BAS forms a "P" due to die wear
Reference : KM# Tn4; CCT# LC-5A1, Breton# 715
Source : https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces9...
Collection : Canada - Monnaies et Tokens