Summary
Australia Tasmania Hobart
W.D. Wood Token Halfpenny c. 1854
Mint: Uncertain British
Previous Collections: Hon. William M.K. Vale
Standard References: Andrews 642 = Heyde 280
Other Details: W.D. Wood ran the Montpellier Retreat Inn in Hobart Town and was a wine and spirit merchant. This token was issued at the same time as the penny type struck with dies B/2, see References for details of die identification.
Physical Description
A round copper token (28 mm diameter) featuring the name, address and business of the company which issued the tokens: W.D. Wood, Montpellier Retreat Inn, Hobart Town, wine and spirit merchant. The reverse features a corner view of the inn with the front door open a flag staff and trees can be seen above the building.
Obverse Description
Legend in seven lines, ONE HALFPENNY TOKEN / PAYABLE / ON DEMAND HERE / MONTPELLIER RETREAT / INN, / HOBART TOWN / W.D. WOOD
Reverse Description
Corner view of hotel with flag-pole behind; above, MONTPELLIER RETREAT INN below, W.D. WOOD
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collecting Areas
Numismatics & Philately, Sustainable Futures, Working Life & Trades
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Honourable William M. Vale JP, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
circa 1854 AD
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Issued By
W D Wood - Montpellier Retreat Inn, Hobart, Greater Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 1850-1855
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Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
Obverse: ONE HALFPENNY TOKEN PAYABLE ON DEMAND HERE MONTPELLIER RETREAT INN HOBART TOWN W.D. WOOD Reverse: MONTPELLIER RETREAT INN W.D. WOOD
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
06
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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
28 mm (Outside Diameter), 8.721 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Andrews 641 = Heyde 279 Wood issued two types of penny tokens. The one, dated 1855 is classified as dies A/1 as dated pieces are listed before undated in Andrews. However the heavier weight of the second type argues that it is the earlier, dies B/2. Further, it offers the statement "payable on demand here Montpellier Retreat Inn" also suggesting an earlier issue. This halfpenny denomination, dies C/3, bears the same promise and was issued at the same time.
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins.
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand.
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Keywords
