Bruce V. writes: My friend and I were metal detecting and found a coin. It is quite old and hard to make out but one side has a picture of a plough being pulled by two oxen (I think) and has the words no labor no food. Can you help at all? Thanx in advance.
This token was imported from Birmingham, England by a firm in Toronto, c.1820. Because there was little or no official coinage in Eastern Canada these halfpenny tokens were accepted for payment of goods. Other halfpenny and penny tokens of various designs also existed during this period. Private tokens were outlawed in Canada in 1825.
The Obverse shows a worker with a farm implement, around, NO LABOUR NO BREAD. The reverse shows a team and plow, around, SPEED THE PLOUGH HALF PENNY TOKEN.
Value depends on grade (condition). Average circulated examples bring from US$10 – $25.
