拍品描述： 1820 Northwest Company Beaver Token. Brass. Breen-1083, W-9250. Rulau-E Ore-1A. Extremely Fine. 28.8 mm. 142.0 grains. Pierced for suspension as usual. A very sharp example that was only lightly used at the time it was presumably lost and subjected to the elements for a time. As is typical of these, the surfaces show fairly extensive pitting, but what is visible in the detail is very sharp. Generally dark but largely glossy patina, with somewhat lighter areas on the high points. These were used in the Oregon Territory, in the fur trade, and the beaver motif is believed to be the denomination, one beaver pelt.A rare issue, avidly collected by pre-federal specialists as a "colonial" coin from the Northwest, an example that is thought of as a hallmark of an advanced collection of early American issues. The fact that this issue may have been used as a prize or trading item with Native Americans makes this an especially desirable type.Whole books have been written about the exciting history of the Northwest Company and its commercial battle with the Hudsons Bay Company to obtain market share in the rich fur trade of the American Northwest, a battle it eventually lost to the HBC. Currency was little used in the primitive Northwest, but this token issue has become an evocative souvenir of the days of fur trading, mountain men, and the country that was claimed by Russia, Great Britain, France, and Spain—and populated by some of the most adventurous citizens of each land. Spain yielded their claim to Oregon in 1819. Russia was eventually kicked out in 1823 despite the fact that Lewis and Clark encountered Russian trade beads in the region when they arrived, indicating an earlier relationship with the Russians than with the Americans! The Oregon country became a galvanizing issue in the Election of 1844—with the slogan "54°40 or Fight!" coming into vogue. The lands were divided between British Canada and the United States at the 49th Parallel in 1846. No recorded provenance.