Lot 2139

Description

Upper Canada, Leslie & Sons, 2d currency token, 1822, obv. standing figure of Justice, rev. plough to left, (Ch.UC.3, Br.717). Extremely fine with a trace of mint bloom around some letters in legends, rare.

Ex Glendining's, London, Auction, May 16, 1973 (lot 252 part). The issue bears the name Toronto, even though it was issued before Toronto was incorporated under that name in 1834. Ever since it was founded, York was unofficially called Toronto and in 1822 a petition was circulated asking that the town of York be renamed Toronto. The government ignored the petition and York remained the official name until 1834. The Canadian Coinoisseur have reported that recent sales of this coin in the grade EF 45 realised $1495 at auction in Canada.