Moneta
Registered: August 2005
Location: Arizona USA
Posts: 2,365
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Research indicates this is the type of Bouquet Sou that was contract minted by the 'Belleville Boys' of Gibbs firm in Belleville NJ, USA. They are known for their production of Hard Times tokens. Gift from R.S. in CA - THX!
Bas (Lower) Canada.
Copper Sou Token (27mm)
Belleville (New Jersey) mint. Struck 1837-8.
AGRICULTURE & COMMERCE/ * BAS CANADA *
TOKEN./ MONTREAL.
UN SOU within wreath of oak leaves
In Belleville, New Jersey, John Gibbs, who on a token known as Low 150, described himself as MANUFACTURER OF MEDALS AND TOKENS, was a senior partner of Gibbs, Gardner & Co. His business was located in a building on the same premises as Stevens, Thomas & Fuller, a company which produced dies and struck minor coins for Brazil, Liberia, Santo Domingo, and various private merchants. Stevens had earlier obtained his training in Birmingham, England.
The coining facility became known as the Belleville Mint. Many different varieties associated with the Hard Times token series, including some bearing the evasive legend NOT ONE CENT, were made there. In addition, similarly-sized copper coins known as bouquet sous were made for circulation in Canada. The floral bouquet design was used in one instance as a reverse for a token issued by William Gibbs, father of John Gibbs, who proclaimed himself to be an AGRICULTURIST.
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