2017-07-04 Tue

A new book called “Coins Are Like Songs: The Upper Canada Coppers, 1815-1841” by Christopher Faulkner sheds some light on different tokens that were exchanged as hard money in Upper Canada before the Province of Canada was formed. The book only mentions about the most basic form of currency - copper tokens.

The book has two sections. The first one establishes the historical context for Upper Canada coppers. It talks about growth and size of settlements, occupations and leisure activities, economic foundations, trade and commerce apart from social changes over 50 years. The second section is a descriptive catalogue of copper tokens, by whom and where they were struck, by whom and when they were issued; where and for what period of time they circulated.

The author says that copper tokens are like famous songs as they talk about a world of farmers, merchants, artisans and labourers from Upper Canada. Dealer Kolbe & Fanning is offering the book for $95 plus shipping and handling.