LC-33A1 No Date Lower Canada Agriculture & Commerce Montreal Un Sou Token Very Fine (VF20)

LC-33A1 No Date Lower Canada Agriculture & Commerce Montreal Un Sou Token Very Fine (VF20)

The Bouquet Sou is one of the most recognizable and historically significant tokens of pre-Confederation Canada. First struck in the early 1830s, these copper tokens take their name from the distinctive bouquet of flowers displayed on the reverse.. Produced in large quantities by private manufacturers to alleviate the chronic shortage of small change in Lower Canada, Bouquet Sous quickly became a familiar sight in everyday commerce throughout Montreal and the surrounding region. Numerous varieties exist, differing in legends, die pairings, and metallic composition, making the series a fascinating field of study for collectors.

The Bouquet Sou also occupies an important place in Canadian history because of its close association with the "Sous des Patriotes." During the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837–1838, supporters of the Patriote movement adopted many Bouquet Sous as political symbols by counterstamping them with patriotic slogans such as "UN SOU / BAS CANADA" or other inscriptions expressing support for reform. These countermarked pieces, now known collectively as the Sous des Patriotes, transformed ordinary circulating tokens into powerful expressions of political identity and resistance against British colonial rule. Although they continued to function as currency, their altered appearance reflected the growing unrest that culminated in the armed rebellion led by figures such as Louis-Joseph Papineau.

Obverse: A bouquet containing one or more maple leaves, shamrocks, thistles, wheat ears, blades, roses, and oak leaves, with the legend around.
Reverse: Cherry leaves surrounding the denomination with the legend around.

LC-33A1 Variety: The obverse bouquet has two shamrocks, the bow is positioned to the left, there are two thistles on the left side, with no blade of grass between the two thistles on the left. The reverse has twenty cherry leaves, with a small flat bow.

Specifications:
Engraver: John Gibbs
Composition: Copper
Weight: Approx. 7 g
Diameter: 27 mm
Edge: Plain
Die Axis: ↑↑
Mint: The Belleville Mint, Belleville, New Jersey, United States