During the first half of the 19th century there was a chronic shortage of small coins in Lower Canada. In 1835, following a government decision to remove all the lightweight pieces from circulation, the shortage became acute. No official coins were issued but the Bank of Montreal, the Quebec Bank, the City Bank and La Banque du Peuple were given authority to issue penny and halfpenny tokens of a weight similar to that of British copper coins.
Issuer United Province of Canada (Canadian provinces)
Type Emergency coinage › Merchant tokens
Years 1842-1845
Value ½ Penny (1⁄480)
Currency Pound (1841-1858)
Composition Copper
Weight 9.5 g
Diameter 28.5 mm
Thickness 1.5 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Short Trees, Heavy Trees Variety.
