© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
1 Beaver Pelt - Oregon North West Company
1820 year| Brass | 9.4 g | 29 mm |
| Location | Canadian provinces (Canada) |
|---|---|
| Type | Trade tokens › Business tokens |
| Year | 1820 |
| Value | 1 Beaver Pelt |
| Composition | Brass |
| Weight | 9.4 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Thickness | 1.9 mm |
| Shape | Round (Often holed) |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-11-14 |
| Numista | N#122347 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Beaver Right
Script: Latin
Lettering:
NORTH WEST
COMPANY
Edge
Plain, reeded
Comment
The North West Company was organized in Montreal, Canada in 1784. It carried on operations until 1821 at which time it was merged with Hudson's Bay Company. This token was good for one beaver skin. Most tokens are found with pitting due to corrosion and most are found holed. The tokens were struck by John Walker and Company of Birmingham, England.Weight 8.3 - 10.5g
Diameter 28.8 - 29.2 mm
1820 TOKEN North West Company Token, Brass, Breen-1083, W-9250, R.4. The North West Company operated in present-day Oregon. Their tokens, usually in brass and very rarely in copper, purportedly could be redeemed at a company trading post for a beaver pelt. Breen (1988) states that a "couple of dozen" were dug up in the Umpqua River Valley hoard, circa 1976. Most survivors are well circulated and show evidence of corrosion. Nearly all are holed near 12 o'clock. Just two examples are known without holes, presumably never issued.
