1 Lys William Mackenzie and Louis-Joseph Papineau; Trial

This Quebec 1 Lys coin was minted in 1994 by the Quebec sovereignty movement in preparation for the 1995 referendum on Quebec becoming an independent nation. The referendum was very close, with the pro-independence movement losing by only 25,000 votes. The 38.2mm nickel-silver coin commemorates the 1837 rebellions in Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec). The obverse depicts the leaders of the two rebellions: William Mackenzie and Louis-Joseph Papineau. The reverse illustrates a Fleur-de-Lys which is the national emblem of Quebec. Only 1837 pieces were minted. 20 nickel-silver Essais (patterns) were also minted for some of the leaders of the movement. The Essais have the same obverse but a different reverse indicating that the piece is a non-negotiable Essai – Pattern. -https://www.joelscoins.com/canada.htm