1820-Dated Blacksmith Token

Copper. 28mm x 30mm. 5.90 grams. The obverse shows the portrait of a male figure facing right, described alternately in the literature as George II, an or even the Duke of Wellington, his hair tied in a ribbon behind with three forecurls. The reverse depicts Commerce seated on a bale above a diagonally lined base. A scale is outstretched in her right hand and a cornucopia rests in her left. The date 1820 appears in the exergue.

This is one of only two tokens in the Blacksmith series listed by P.N. Breton (1894), who correctly described the variety as but erroneously noted only three or four known. Perhaps he meant known to him. In a 1985 CN Journal article, Warren Baker cited 32 known to him in copper and seven in brass. Baker's own collection, which was auctioned in 1987, included five examples. One of them was struck over an 1825 farthing, proving that these Blacksmiths were antedated. Another was struck over an example of Wood-6. This piece, which also formed part of the collection, was conservatively described as as Very Fine or better and struck over a counterfeit George II or George III half penny

To read the complete item description, see:
1820-Dated Blacksmith Token, Possibly Overstruck, Breton-1008, Wood-19, BL-32A1, XF.(https://www.jacoblipsonrarecoins.com/inventory/1820-dated-blacksmith-token-possibly-overstruck-breton-1008-wood-19-bl-32a1-xf)

1863 Society of Arts President's Medal

56mm. Leonard Charles Wyon (1826-1891) was a member of the prominent Wyon dynasty of engravers. He is famous in Canada for having cut many of the dies for our own Victorian coinage, including the 1858 Province of Canada issue.

The Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce was established in 1754 by William Shipley. According to the RSA,

This bronze medal is engraved on the edge: JETHRO BITHELL. SOCIETY OF ARTS EXAMINATIONS, 1896. SHORTHAND. Bithell was born in Wigan, England and studied German and the University of Manchester, where he graduated in 1900 with first-class honours in Modern Languages. He spent his career teaching German at Birkbeck College, University of London before retiring in 1938. Jethro Bithell died in 1962.

The fields are glossy and unabraded on this well-preserved chocolate-brown representative. Exceptionally struck and attractive. There is a single speck of aqua residue near the rim above RE in PRESIDENT. Housed in its original, blue velvet-lined case of issue.

To read the complete item description, see:
1863 Prince of Wales, Society of Arts President's Medal in Bronze, Presented in 1896 for Shorthand, Dies by L.C. Wyon, Eimer-1566, BHM-2795, Unc. With Original Box(https://www.jacoblipsonrarecoins.com/inventory/1863-prince-of-wales-society-of-arts-presidents-medal-in-bronze-presented-in-1896-for-shorthand-dies-by-lc-wyon-eimer-1566-bhm-2795-unc-with-original-box)

1886 Montreal Cathedral Souvenir

White metal. 38 mm. 24.4 grams. The 1886 Grand Bazaar was held to raise money for the continued construction of the Cathedral de Montreal, now the Mary Queen of the Word Cathedral on Réné Lévesque street. Other fundraising events associated with the Grand Bazaar included a concert and a lottery. In all, $27,000 was raised.

Struck by Lymburner, the obverse depicts the cathedral itself with CATHEDRAL DE MONTREAL in the exergue. The reverse inscription reads: SOUVENIR / DU / GRAND BAZAAR / DE LA / CATHEDRAL DE MONTREAL / TENU EN SEPTEMBRE / 1886. This bright example shows as-made planchet cracks on each side, as well as scattered ticks and a few hairlines.

To read the complete item description, see:
1886 Montreal Cathedral Souvenir du Grand Bazaar by Lymburner, Leroux-1175.(https://www.jacoblipsonrarecoins.com/inventory/1886-montreal-cathedral-souvenir-du-grand-bazaar-by-lymburner-leroux-1175)

1904 Canadian Bank of Commerce Agricultural Medal

Silver. 65 mm. 98.1 grams. Agricultural medals engraved by Rolph, Smith & Co. (Toronto, Ontario) were sponsored by the Canadian Bank of Commerce and issued by various agricultural societies. This particular example was awarded to W.J. Lee & Sons for the best flock of Oxford sheep at the Townsend Agricultural Show in 1904. The surfaces were cleaned about 50 years ago and have since retoned lightly. Minor evidence of residue in the recesses of the design. A scarce medal named in silver.

To read the complete item description, see:
1904 Canadian Bank of Commerce Agricultural Medal Named in Silver, Charlton-5045-5.(https://www.jacoblipsonrarecoins.com/inventory/1904-canadian-bank-of-commerce-agricultural-medal-named-in-silver-charlton-5045-5)

Montreal Technical School Award Medal

Sterling silver. 54 mm. 73.8 grams. Edge marked C. LAMOND & FILS / STERLING. The obverse features a bee superimposed on a shield over a cog. A maple leaf appears at 6 o'clock and the legend ECOLE TECHNIQUE MONTREAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL rings the border. The reverse shows a laurel wreath tied at the bottom and the recipient's name engraved in the centre. CARON FRERES MONTREAL is below.

C. Lamond & Fils of Montreal acquired the Caron Frères dies around 1930. Another named silver example dated 1927-28 appeared as part of the Saul Hendler Collection in 1996, where it was described as This medal is richly toned in gunmetal and golden patina. Completely void of hairlines or other marks. Housed in its original purple velvet box.

To read the complete item description, see:
c. 1930 Montreal Technical School Award Medal in Silver. Presented to Joseph Blases. Original Box Included.(https://www.jacoblipsonrarecoins.com/inventory/c-1930-montreal-technical-school-award-medal-in-silver-presented-to-joseph-blases-original-box-included)