Hudson's Bay Company copper Uniface 1 (Made Beaver?) Plate or Token ND (before 1900) XF, Br-Unl., FT-Unl., Gingras-225 (R7; this piece cited). 50x23mm. 4.98gm. Plain edge. An extremely rare type by all indications, sometimes erroneously designated as a bale mark, though Gingras states that "Oldtimers of the Company are quite certain metallic labels were never attached to bales of furs and the lack of a hole in them would bear this out." He goes on to state that their crudeness of manufacture indicates that they were produced "well before 1900", with no more than 8 are known to exist, all of which were found in British Columbia. Mr. Partrick further believed his to be the finest known example. This is the first such specimen we have handled, and is likely of the greatest rarity. Sold with old collector envelope detailing provenance. Interestingly, the lot also includes an old handwritten envelope numbered "159", suggesting that this is the very piece cited by Gingras in his Medals Token and Paper Money of the Hudson's Bay Company. Ex. Jeffrey Hoare Auction (March 1994, Lot 644); Hunter Sale (1920, Lot 159); Reportedly also ex. Warren Baker, Don Stewart, and B.G. Hamilton
HID09801242017
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Price realized | 6'000 USD |
Starting price | 1 USD |
Estimate | 2'000 USD |