1946 Hudson’s Bay Company 10c Eastern Arctic Aluminum Token

1946 Hudson’s Bay Company 10c Eastern Arctic Aluminum Token

This Hudson’s Bay Company Eastern Arctic 10-cent token belongs to the uniface aluminum series introduced in 1946. The marked face bears the incuse letters H B C above a large 10; the reverse is blank. Catalogued as Gingras 285a, this piece represents a distinctive chapter in northern Canadian trading history.

Specifications

• Issuer: Hudson’s Bay Company
• Region: Eastern Arctic, Canada
• Issue: 1946 series; the token itself is undated
• Denomination: 10 cents
• Material: Aluminum
• Shape: Round
• Marked face: Incuse H B C / 10
• Reverse: Blank (uniface issue)
• Catalogue reference: Gingras 285a
• Grade: Ungraded; no third-party certification supplied
• Packaging: Pictured stapled 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. It is relevant to collections of Hudson’s Bay Company tokens, Canadian trade tokens and Arctic history.

Condition

The photographs show numerous fine scratches and surface marks on both sides, including long intersecting lines across the blank reverse. Small edge irregularities are visible. No numerical grade or assessment of cleaning or alteration is assigned. Reflections and some lines may be associated with the flip’s plastic window; please examine both photographs closely.

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.