Anno 1830 Token and Le Festin du Gouverneur Token [solved]

Hello! Sorry to bother you, but I am doing some admin work in my collection and I am baffled by these two tokens! The first has a blank obverse and the reverse matches the half crown design of William IV (1830-37), but it is dated ‘ANNO 1830’ despite William's first coinage being struck dated 1831.

I was thinking this might be more of an ascension token, to commemorate him coming to the throne, and since the half crown design is slightly different for George IV, I believe this is more likely to be linked to William IV than George IV. The diameter is roughly the same as a genuine William half crown, but the weight is half what it should be! I'm also thrown off by the completely blank obverse - while there may have been an original design that has rubbed off over time, it seems strange that only one side should suffer this. If it was intentionally blank, then why? If this token commemorates William IV's ascension to the throne, why not state his name or an early bust design? I'm hoping someone can fill in the blanks for me and explain what this is!

Furthermore, another token is from Montreal, Canada, and says ‘LE FESTIN DU GOUVERNEUR’, then a 10-digit serial below. On the other side the legend repeats but in a garter belt, with the addition of ‘FORT STE HELENE’ and ‘1691’, with a seventeenth-century figure in the middle. This token is obviously not from 1691, but while I can find several examples online for sale, I cannot find any information regarding this token, i.e. what it represents, when it was made, etc.

Strangely enough, the Fort Sainte-Helene was constructed in the early 1820s, so placing this right next to the date 1691 is bizarre! Le Festin du Gouverneur translates as ‘the feast of the governor’, which is only mentioned in the 1611 King James Bible, and the figure in the centre is most likely Louis de Buade de Frontenac, as he closely matches the illustration on Wikipedia. He was Governor-General of New France in 1672-82 and 1689-98, so was governor in 1691. But what is being commemorated in 1691? 

I'm afraid this is all the information I have to go on regarding these two tokens. Hopefully you can help!

Thank you!

Numismania76

The first item with the blank side appears to have the remains of a pinback or other attachment which has broken away. I think it is a bridle button, that is a decorative item applied to a horse bridle.

Ah, now you mention it Mr Midnight, there does seem to be signs of a pin at the edges of the back, and I have seen coins turned into brooches, so it was certainly popular at one point! Your theory makes perfect sense; I've searched bridle buttons and many examples come up for the nineteenth century in particular, so this ‘coin’ dated 1830 fits the bill! This also explains why the obverse is blank, so thank you very much for answering my query!

Now that one is put to bed, I just need to find out about the strange Le Festin du Gouverneur. Thank you ever so much again, you're a star!

-Numismania76

Le Festin du Gouverneur  is or was a dinner and theatre club in Montreal. The number is a North American telephone number. Google that number for more. 

I saw something like that concerning a recent cabaret performance at Le Festin du Gouverneur, but for some reason I didn't realise that this token represents that place! I also never thought that the numbers were a phone number - your detective skills are far better than mine!

Thank you again for solving both of these mysteries, you've put my mind at ease! I wish you all the very best!

Yours

-Numismania76