Lot 86
1820 Northwest Company Token in Brass Breen-1083. NGC graded VG-10. Mostly glossy golden tan with darker reddish olive patina in protected areas. No doubt cleaned at one time as is nearly always the case with these rare pieces. There is an old scratch along the profile of the neck and a few very light scratches below the beaver, but overall the surfaces are smooth and attractive for the grade. Neatly holed at the top (as nearly always) to facilitate wearing on a string or cord. These tokens were traded by members of the Northwest Company (later absorbed by the Hudson Bay Company) to native Americans in the Pacific Northwest in trade for beaver pelts (1 token per pelt). The tokens could then be traded for goods available from the company "store." Most of the known examples have been discovered near the Columbia River. A seldom-seen piece of early American history. Listed on page 78 in the "Redbook."
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
|
| |
| Realized $3,760 |
