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Lr. 860 — Montreal Taken. 1760. Silver.

Currency:CAD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:15,000.00 CAD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 CAD
Lr. 860 — Montreal Taken. 1760. Silver.

Buyer’s Premiums will be added on all items as per the Terms & Conditions of the sale. Invoices will be emailed out after all sessions of the Toronto Coin Expo Spring Sale have concluded.

McLachlan-126, Betts-429, Breton-48, Eimer-679. 40.8mm. 29g. Plain edge with vertical striations, as made. Unsigned (by Kirk or Pingo). The Montreal Taken medal forms part of the series sponsored by the Society Promoting Arts and Commerce commemorating the British Victories during the Seven Years’ War. In fact, the fall of Montreal in September 1760 represented the culmination of the British offensive against the French and its ultimate conquest of Canada. Examples exist in silver and copper. Both are rare.
The obverse features a male figure emblematic of the St. Lawrence River reclining to the right with his arm on the bow of a galley and a beaver approaching. He holds a paddle in his left hand. Above, AMHERST appears within a wreath surmounted by a lion. A tomahawk, axe, and a quiver representing the Indigenous peoples and the arms of France are seen in the exergue. The reverse shows a female figure seated right against a tree. Again, the arms of France and a tomahawk representing the Indigenous peoples of Canada are shown in the right field. An eagle stands on a rock behind.
Of all the extraordinary medals in this remarkable collection, Michael Joffre considers this piece his favourite. Its historical significance, ultimate rarity, and exceptional quality stand out, as does its personal connection to the owner — a longtime collector and dealer in the Montreal area. Naturally toned violet-grey surfaces exhibit vivid rainbow patina around the devices, including shades of rose, gold, green, and blue. There are no hits or obvious signs of wear, though one speck of aqua residue occurs on the galley. Definition is pinpoint-sharp, and the fields maintain an impressive degree of reflectivity. For reference, an AU58 PCGS example recently sold as 10011 in Stack’s Bowers sale of the E Pluribus Unum Collection in November 2021, where it realized $12,000 USD or roughly $15,250 CAD. This piece is demonstrably nicer. The capstone of the Joffre Collection of Canadian Historical Medals.
Ex: Purchased from Bill Whetstone (circa 2004).
From the Michael Joffre Collection of Canadian Historical Medals.