In the 19th century, Hudson's Bay Company introduced separate coinage for its fur trade and retail activities. The metal trade tokens differed by district but the idea was the same: fur trappers received them as credit against future purchases made at HBC trading posts. The design replicated on this 99.99% pure silver coin is based on the East Main District (east/south of Hudson Bay) brass Made Beaver tokens issued between 1860 and 1870. These were named for HBC's standardized currency unit, the "Made Beaver" (MB), which was equal to the value of one prime adult male beaver pelt. The tokens were issued in four different denominations and sizes: 1 MB (30 mm), 1/2 MB (27 mm), 1/4 MB (25 mm) and 1/8 MB (19 mm). And each obverse featured the letters "HB" (Hudson's Bay Company), "EM" (East Main District) and "MB"(Made Beaver), although a few were mistakenly stamped with "NB."

Mintage: 10,000

Face Value: 10 dollars

Weight: 15.87 g

Composition: 99.99% pure silver

Diameter: 34mm

The Buyer is hereby advised to read fully the Priority Special Terms & Conditions of Business pertaining to the Hudson’s Bay Company series of online auction sales, as well as the Terms and Conditions of Business and our Catalogue Terms.

The auction preview will be held at Heffel Toronto from January 19 - 23, by appointment only.

The Buyer is responsible for ascertaining the condition of this lot. All items will be sold “as is.” Condition reports and additional images are not available.

Please note that Heffel's standard Buyer's Premium applies to each lot in the Hudson’s Bay Company auction. The Buyer’s Premium is the amount paid by the Buyer to the Auction House on the purchase of a lot, which is calculated on the Hammer Price as follows: a rate of 25% of the Hammer Price of the Lot up to and including $25,000; plus 20% on the part of the Hammer Price over $25,000, plus applicable Sales Tax.

The Buyer is responsible for all pickup and shipping costs and arrangements. All lots will be sold “as is, where is” and will be deemed as released in Ontario and HST will be applied.