1837 Half Penny Token

Numerous ONE HALF PENNY /ies of the Habitant series identified
by Doctor Courteau variety are identified as having re-cut letters.
If you care to post a photo of the complete obverse and reverse,
I will endeavuor to ascertain the specific variety for you. If so,
kindly take note of the F in HALF. This is a primary diagnostic
used by Dr. Courteau. The horizontal cross-bar of the F is either
normal('perfect F'), or shews a short vertical line at the mid-point
of the cross-bar. If the short line is only on the upper-side of the
cross-bar, Dr. Courteau refers to this as half-cut. If the short line
shews above and below the cross-bar, Dr. Courteau references this as
'double-cut.' Dr. Courteau also mentions 'slightly double-cut.' This
important diagnostic can not be positively identified if and when buried
under decades of crud.

doug

You stumbled upon a good one.
Grade VF-20.

Doctor Courteau identified 29 sub-varieties of the Habitant
'CITY BANK' token series. Within this grouping, one has a
rarity factor of 10, one a rarity factor of 9, and two having
a rarity factor of 8(on a scale of 1-10). rarity 1 is common as
mud, and a 10 is as rare. The F is HALF is perfect. Of this
grouping only varieties 1, 1b, 1f, 1m, 1n, 1o, 2, 2a, 2d, 2h,
2j, and 2l have a perfect F. Of this listing, the numeral 1
references where the 'V' in PROVINCE is defective and on-line
with the 'I.' Whereas the numeral 2 identifies where the 'V'
is lower than the 'I'. From the photo, I believe the 'V' appears
to be on-line with the 'I,' thus eliminating varieties 2, 2a, 2d,
2h, 2J, and 2l.

The next process it to ascertain the relationship of the 'stand' of
the right leg of the first A in CANADA to the 'stand' of the left
upright of the N in the same word. From the photo provided, I believe
the stands are on-line. On varieties 1,1f,1m,the stand of the A is
whereas on varieties 1b, the stand of the A is a trifle higher than
the N, on variety 1n, the A is a trifle lower than the N, and on variety
1o, the A is higher than the N. Thus we remain with varieties 1, 1f, and 1m.
Dr. Courteau mentions that the reverse of variety 1 shews small die defects
betwixt the left ribbon and the date (above the L in HALF), Whereas Dr.
Courteau specifically mentions no defects are above the L on variety 1f.
On the photo, small rust spots are detectable in this area and unfortunately
my tokens are stored in the bank and not readily available for comparison.
I do not recall what the defects on variety 1 resemble. However, Dr. Courteau
states 'Both feet of A recut inside' on variety 1f, and no mention of the same
is made concerning variety 1. Concerning variety 1m, Dr. Courteau mentions
the defect barely shews to the V in PROVINCE, thus eliminating variety 1m.
By the process of elimination we conclude Dr. Courteau variety 1f, having an
R factor of 7 (on a scale of 1-10), with 1 being as common as mud.

doug

perchance the V is lower, we will redo this with the second group.

betwixt the two is
that variety 1 has
mentions 'Both feet of a recut inside' on variety 1f, and makes no reference
to this diagnostic on varieties 1 or 1m.

Doug, it's always a pleasure to watch you walk through a token identification.

Dan

Thanks for the kind words.

My apology for the former post. It was late at night when I worked on it and I posted it without proof-reading it.
Forgive the typos. And on line five of the 2nd paragraph, I failed to insert the words 'on-line with the N.'
Corrected is: On varieties 1, 1f, and 1m, the Stand of the A is on-line with the stand of the N, whereas on....

On another note, early Canadian Numismatists (prior to the advent of decimals) had only foreigns and tokens to collect.
Tremendous research was conducted by luminaries such as Breton, Sandham, Lees, Laroux, McLachlan, Wood, Courteau, and
others. Unfortunately, many of their works have nowadays fallen our of popularity. Of these, Doctor Courteau did
the most comprehensive studies of varieties. Recently Branko Marelic and Greg Ingram published current updates of
some of Dr. Courteau's works. A.D. Hock published several of Dr. Courteau's work in his book. Dr. Richard Bird
published a book of Dr. Courteau's New Brunswick tokens. Doctor McLean and I, with the assistance of Doug Robins
and Todd Hume, are currently working on the St. George and the Dragon series. Canadian Colonial tokens is a
fascinating field to explore. The primary reason I demonstrate the research process in such detail is to hopefully
generate an interest in others to dare to delve into this vast and most interesting realm.

doug