In honour of the 350th anniversary of Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), a piece from its past was taken and paired with a present-day coin obverse. The result? An outstanding token replica coin that strikes a balance between “then” and “now.” The reverse design is a near-exact reproduction of an HBC trade token from the fur trade era. Preserved in 99.99% pure silver, the company’s classic coat of arms represents 350 years of history and symbolizes the evolution of a company and a country, of commerce and currency.

Incorporated in 1670, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) is Canada’s oldest company. As the nation evolved, so did the company: its commercial pursuits were a crucial part of Canada’s earliest industries and development; its trading posts became Canada’s cities and towns; and its fur-trading empire evolved into the modern retail giant of today. Mintage is limited to 10,000. HST/GST exempt.

The Design:

The reverse design is a faithful reproduction of a 19th-century fur trade token issued by Hudson’s Bay Company. Framed by an oak wreath, the company’s coat of arms features elk supporters and a silver shield with the cross of St. George and four beavers (one in each quarter). The crest depicts a fox sitting on the cap of maintenance. The company motto “PRO PELLE GUTEM” (Latin for “a pelt for a skin”) appears below the shield on a banderole. The obverse features the year “2020”, the face value “10 DOLLARS”, and the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.