In 1815, Sir Isaac Coffin was awarded a group of islands known collectively as the Magdalen Islands, and to assert his authority had some copper penny token coins minted for use in the area. Mintage is not known exactly, but there are usually one or two Magdalen tokens for sale in the marketplace, though not always.
The penny tokens for the Magdalen Islands featured a seal on both sides; alive on the obverse and butchered on the reverse. The token bore the legends MAGDALEN ISLAND [sic] TOKEN and 1815 on one side, and SUCCESS TO THE FISHERY and ONE PENNY on the other.
The issue of these coins was controversial and quickly stopped by British authorities. Magdalen Island tokens are among the most beloved of Canada-related collectible coins; check the current listings to see what is available in the marketplace currently, if anything. If you don’t see what you want, check back often as we update this section daily.
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The Magdalen Islands are near Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, but are in fact part of the Canadian province of Quebec.
