Q.V.C North West Mounted Police (NWMP) button with die error.

Victorian North West Mounted Police (NWMP) button with die error, "N.W.N.P", by Maynard Harris & Grice, London

A fine Victorian gilt button of the North West Mounted Police of Canada, featuring an unusual die-striking error.

The front bears the Queen Victoria crown above a "CANADA" scroll, with the force's buffalo head below and a lower scroll that should read "N.W.M.P". Instead, the die was cut to read "N.W.N.P", with an N in place of the M. Errors of this kind were rarely corrected on buttons already struck, and surviving examples make an interesting variant for any collector of Canadian or police insignia.

The North West Mounted Police was formed in May 1873 to bring law and order to Canada's western territories, famously setting out on the March West in 1874. The Victorian crown dates this button to before 1901. The force kept its original name until 1904, when it was granted the Royal prefix, and in 1920 it merged with the Dominion Police to become the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The reverse is marked "Maynard Harris & Grice, London", a less commonly seen maker of high-quality military buttons. Shank intact.

Diameter: approximately 25mm.

Condition: good, with original gilding showing light wear and some toning consistent with age.