BL-13 Blacksmith Brass Token Extra Fine (EF-40) $

Supposedly, around 1835 a dissolute blacksmith in Montreal began to make his own halfpennies to pay for his lifestyle. He made counterfeits of the worn out old English and Irish regal halfpennies of George III, leaving his dies purposely unfinished in order to create the appearance of a badly worn token. His halfpennies were then darkened artificially to create the illusion of age. Only crude outlines were cut, leaving out the date and legend.

Obverse: Bust facing left with a long neck, strong chin, angular forehead and a thin, pointed nose. The ribbon of the chaplet is ties with a long, slender bow.
Reverse: A headless Britannia seated facing right with a thick right arm. The drapery under the right arm is large and angular. The exergue line does not reach the shield.

Specifications:
Composition: Brass
Weight: 5.4 to 6.3 g
Diameter: 27.0 mm
Edge: Plain
Die Axis: ↑ ↓