• Login/ out
  • My Account
  • Register

Top Menu
Shop Menu

  • HOME
  • SHOP
    • Deal of the Day
    • Blowout Specials
    • Unique Deals
    • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
    • Royal Canadian Mint
    • Just Released Products
    • Auction
    • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
    • Canada Decimal Coins
    • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
    • Canada Paper Money
    • Maritime Coins & Bank Tokens
    • Perth & New Zealand Mints
    • United States Decimal & Sets
    • World Coins and Paper Money
    • Coin Supplies
    • Mega Specials
    • Gift Ideas
    • Our Ebay
  • SELL TO US
  • AUCTION
    • Consign with us
  • CONTACT US
    • Shipping Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQ
  • MEET OUR TEAM
    • History
  • COLLECTORS CORNER
  • BULLION CORNER
  • Deal of the Day
  • Blowout Specials
  • Unique Deals
  • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
  • Royal Canadian Mint
  • Just Released Products
  • Auction
  • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
  • Canada Decimal Coins
  • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
  • Canada Paper Money
  • Maritime Coins & Bank Tokens
  • Perth & New Zealand Mints
  • United States Decimal & Sets
  • World Coins and Paper Money
  • Coin Supplies
  • Mega Specials
  • Gift Ideas
  • Our Ebay
  • Bullion Corner

  • HOME
  • SHOP
    • Deal of the Day
    • Blowout Specials
    • Unique Deals
    • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
    • Royal Canadian Mint
    • Just Released Products
    • Auction
    • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
    • Canada Decimal Coins
    • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
    • Canada Paper Money
    • Maritime Coins & Bank Tokens
    • Perth & New Zealand Mints
    • United States Decimal & Sets
    • World Coins and Paper Money
    • Coin Supplies
    • Mega Specials
    • Gift Ideas
    • Our Ebay
  • SELL TO US
  • AUCTION
    • Consign with us
    • Current Auction
    • Featured Items
  • INFO
    • Canada’s 150th
    • Contact Us
    • Shipping Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQ
    • Days Closed
  • About Us
    • History
    • MEET OUR TEAM
  • COLLECTORS CORNER
  • BULLION CORNER
Contact Us| Login/Out | My Account | New User
 
View Cart
Click for the BBB Business Review of this TBD in Kitchener ON
Shopper Approved | Colonial Acres Coins PayPal | Colonial Acres Coins MasterCard | Colonial Acres Coins Visa | Colonial Acres Coins
Lower Canada TokensLower Canada TokensLower Canada Tokens

Lower Canada Tokens and the Rebellion in 1837

September 29, 2022 by Colonial Acres Coins

Last updated on October 3rd, 2022 at 12:13 pm

Last Updated on October 3, 2022 Posted by Colonial Acres Coins

1837 isn’t a particularly noteworthy year in the archives of history. Yet in Canada, which was not officially Canada at the time, two rebellions took place that were part of the events that led to the country’s nationhood. Lower Canada tokens are part of the history of that time frame, but they don’t tell the whole story of the uprisings. Here’s the importance of these tokens that represent what was happening in Lower and Upper Canada.

Historical Context For The Rebellions of 1837

The United States had recently been born. Britain was not very popular in the original 13 American colonies. Quebec had recently been granted more autonomy by the British Parliament, recognizing its French heritage and possibly avoiding a war much like the American Revolution. The United States wasn’t the only country experiencing a rebirth. Rebellions had been happening in France, Haiti, Ireland and the Spanish Americas. The settlers in Canada wanted responsible government instead of it being led by the Crown, religion and local oligarchies.

The Lower Canadian Rebellion

The rebellion in Lower Canada was also called the Patriots’ War. Louis-Joseph Papineau and his followers led the rebellion, but they had been trying to change the status quo peacefully for over 30 years before it got violent. Papineau had been challenging the authority of the Church and the British governors, asking for more control over the revenues in the colony. The Crown rejected their requests. The French-Canadian settlers and anglophiles were at odds. Protests and rallies led to more unrest. The Patriotes rebelled and attacked the British regulars, who were much more experienced in warfare. Papineau and his followers fled to the U.S. and waited another year before trying again. Almost 300 Patriotes died in the two attempts that failed. Another 27 British regulars were killed. Papineau fled to Paris. Some of the Patriotes were sent to work camps in Australia.

The Upper Canadian Rebellion

The Upper Canadian Rebellion was driven more by corruption and injustice in local politics than it was against the Crown. The rebellion in Lower Canada gave the insurgents in Upper Canada a push to move forward with their grievances. William Lyon Mackenzie led the revolt, which wasn’t nearly as deadly as the Lower Canada Rebellion, but again, the rebels were untrained and unable to do much more than cause unrest for a year. Although not many rebels died in the raids, many of them were executed by the government after they were captured.

Habitant Tokens – One Legacy of the Rebellion 

Neither rebellion was successful in and of itself, but they did lead to more reforms. The Upper and Lower Canadas were merged into the Province of Canada, which, with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, would later become modern-day Canada. Papineau and Mackenzie are now recognized as folk heroes for their willingness to fight for democratic reform.

The Habitant token is one of the remnants of the era. In 1837, the Bank of Montreal received permission to issue tokens. The obverse of the coin features a Habitant dressed in winter clothing. Habitants were the French settlers/farmers in the community. The reverse of the coins featured the issuing bank’s emblem. Some thought the farmer on the obverse of the token represented Papineau. The tokens began to be called “Papineaus” in honour of the leader. Even though these tokens are over 150 years old, so many were minted that collectors can still find them.

If you’re looking for Canadian coins for sale that tell the story of history, these tokens, used in Lower Canada in the 1830s, are a great reminder of the rebellion that helped Canada become what it is today. Colonial Acres has a wide selection of Canadian coins that fit any themed collection, whether you’re interested in history, economics, art or pop culture. Shop online to find the coins that fit your collection.

Filed Under: Canadian Coins

SHOP NOW!

Categories

  • Bullion
  • Canadian Coins
  • Coin Supplies
  • Jewelry
  • News
  • Paper Money
  • Royal Canadian Mint
  • Superman Coins
  • Uncategorized
  • World Coins

Blog Archive

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017

Recent Posts

  • Why Invest in Gold Bullion
  • The Significance Behind the 2022 Peace Dollar Rose Gold Plated Coin
  • Polar Bear $2 Canadian Coin Is the Latest in the “Bigger Picture” Series
  • Learn more About the Royal Canadian Air Force Red Knight Coin
  • Colonial Acres Is Always Buying! Here Are Some Tips When Selling Jewellery
    footer-logo

    991 Victoria Street North
    Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
    N2B 3C7

    Toll Free: 1-888-255-4565

    Tel: 519-579-9302

    Fax: 519-340-1381

    info@colonialacres.com

    MENU

    • Home
    • Sell To Us
    • Auction
    • Collectors Corner
    • Bullion Corner

    ABOUT US

    • History
    • Meet Our Team

    SHOP

    • Royal Canadian Mint
    • Canada Decimal Coins
    • Canada Paper Money
    • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
    • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
    • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
    • Jewellery

    Read Our Blogs

    STORE HOURS

    Mon - Fri: 9:30am - 4:30pm
    Sat: Click here to see Saturday hours
    Sun: Closed

    MORE INFO

    Contact Us
    Shipping Information
    Terms of Sale
    Privacy Policy

    Facebook Icon | Colonial Acres Coins Click for the BBB Business Review of this TBD in Kitchener ON
    Copyright © 2013 Colonial Acres Coins. All Rights Reserved. Built with Volusion.