Country: * Tokens * (Canada - Local Dollar Tokens)
Type: Token
Years: 1977
Value: 1 Dollar (1)
Currency: Local Dollar Tokens
Grade: UNC
Mintage: 100,000
Composition: Nickel
Weight: 13.6 g
Diameter: 32.5 mm
Thickness: 2.14 mm
Shape: Round
Orientation: Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized: 05-31-1977
Reference: Pel# BC40
Commemorative issue:
Nisga'a People - Chief Mountain.
Obverse:
Chief Mountain facing.
Lettering:
c1833 1928
MOUNTAIN
Reverse:
Work of art by Nisga'a artist Norman Tait.
Lettering:
BRITISH COLUMBIA
1977
Norman
Tait
NISHGA DOLLAR
CURRENCY VALUE $1.00 EXPIRES MAY 31, 1977
Edge:
Reeded.
Comments:
For three years, "Indian Heritage Dollars" were issued in three series by the North West Indian Cultural Society in British Columbia for use throughout the province. British Columbia has maintained a greater population of indigenous First Nations people compared to other provinces because of its relatively late colonization and mountainous terrain, and has continually been at the forefront of Canadian native rights struggles. These dollars aimed to highlight the diverse cultures and histories of British Columbia's many different First Nations tribes.
The Nishga tribe are now properly called the Nisga'a. They were one of the first tribes to open legal discourse on their right to their traditional land and have been embroiled in various land claims and treaty re-negotiations since the 1880s. In 1998, their struggles finally concluded with the Nisga'a Final Agreement and they are now the only tribe in British Columbia to own an "Autonomous Area" and exercise considerable self-government. Chief Mountain (as pictured on this dollar) was instrumental in starting this long legal battle.
Reference : Pel# BC40
Source : https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces6...
Collection : Canada - Monnaies et Tokens