“X” cancellation mark below the T in THIRD, as sometimes found on these iconic pre-Confederation tokens, which issued in 1847 (undated) and probably used through the early 1850s. The Montreal & Lachine railroad ran from Bonaventure Station in central Montreal to Lachine nine miles west of the city centre. The trip took less than 20 minutes and cost 25 cents for a return fare in third class. These copper tokens were chosen over their cardboard tickets counterparts because they would hold up better under hardscrabble condition. Many of the train’s passengers were labourers on the Lachine Canal, including Indigenous workers from neighbouring Caughnawaga on the other side of the St. Lawrence river from Lachine.
“X” cancellation mark below the T in THIRD, as sometimes found on these iconic pre-Confederation tokens, which issued in 1847 (undated) and probably used through the early 1850s. The Montreal & Lachine railroad ran from Bonaventure Station in central Montreal to Lachine nine miles west of the city centre. The trip took less than 20 minutes and cost 25 cents for a return fare in third class. These copper tokens were chosen over their cardboard tickets counterparts because they would hold up better under hardscrabble condition. Many of the train’s passengers were labourers on the Lachine Canal, including Indigenous workers from neighbouring Caughnawaga on the other side of the St. Lawrence river from Lachine.
