Summary
Love Token inscribed J.K. Died, July 19 1847.
Love tokens were often commissioned by convicts before they were transported to Australia, as a memento for their loved ones. Itinerant engravers visited the prisons and hulks, finding a ready market for these tokens, which were made to order from smoothed-down coins.
Love tokens are evidence of the British Government's attitude to law and order and treatment of indentured labourers in a strict Government 'Assignment System' which provided cheap labour for the expanding British empire during the 1700s and 1800s.
About one third of migrants who came to Australia between 1830 and 1850 paid their own way. Convicts and settlers who came to Australia found that in comparison to Europe, conditions were very good and with hard work and determination they could prosper.
Physical Description
A British halfpenny struck in about 1805 worn and smoothed, the obverse has been inscribed, J K / DIED and the reverse has been inscribed, JULY 19 / 1847. Holed for wearing - wear around the hole suggests it was worn for some time.
Obverse Description
Inscribed 'J K / DIED'.
Reverse Description
Inscribed 'JULY 19 / 1847'.
Edge Description
Plain.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1847 AD
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Issued By
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Place & Date Inscribed
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Date of Event
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Inscriptions
J K DIED JULY 19 1847
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Material
Copper
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Axis
6
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
29 mm (Outside Diameter)
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Shape
Round with hole
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Keywords
Convicts, Families, Immigrant Voyages, Immigration, Love Tokens, Settlement, Travel