1946 Hudson’s Bay Company 100c Eastern Arctic Aluminum Token

1946 Hudson’s Bay Company 100c Eastern Arctic Aluminum Token

This Hudson’s Bay Company Eastern Arctic 100-cent token belongs to the uniface aluminum series introduced in 1946. The marked face bears the incuse letters H B C above a large 100, while the reverse is blank. This one-dollar denomination is catalogued as Gingras 285d. The two supplied photographs show the individual token offered.

Specifications

• Issuer: Hudson’s Bay Company
• Region: Eastern Arctic, Canada
• Issue: 1946 series; the token itself is undated
• Denomination: 100 cents (one dollar)
• Material: Aluminum
• Shape: Round
• Marked face: Incuse H B C / 100
• Reverse: Blank (uniface issue)
• Catalogue reference: Gingras 285d
• Grade: Ungraded; no third-party certification supplied
• Packaging: Pictured cardboard coin flip

Historical background

Introduced in the Eastern Arctic in 1946, these tokens were intended in part to familiarize Inuit customers with Canadian decimal currency as travel and outside contact increased during and after the Second World War. The round-token series comprised 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 cents. A separate square token represented one Arctic fox, a trading unit used by the company.

The series was generally discontinued by 1962, although use continued at a few isolated posts. The conventional 1946 date identifies the introduction of the issue, not a date stamped on this token or a verified manufacturing year for this individual example.

Features and collecting appeal

The simple incuse lettering, prominent value and plain reverse distinguish this practical trading issue from regular Canadian coinage. The 100-cent piece represents the highest cent-denominated value in the round-token series and complements collections of Hudson’s Bay Company tokens, Canadian trade tokens and Arctic history.

Condition of this piece

The photographs show grey surfaces with scattered scratches, fine lines and small marks on both sides. Longer intersecting scratches are visible across portions of the blank reverse. Strong reflections and creases in the plastic window obscure some details, especially toward the upper portions of the images. No numerical grade or assessment of cleaning or alteration is assigned.

Please examine both photographs closely for this example’s individual surfaces and appearance. Some visible lines and bright streaks belong to the packaging rather than necessarily to the token. The aluminum composition and catalogue identification describe the attributed issue; no independent metal testing or measurements of this individual token have been performed.

The Hudson’s Bay Company token shown is the exact item you will receive.