Summary

Copper one Penny mule token, minted by W.J. Taylor of London. It was issued by R. Josephs of Newtown, Tasmania, circa 1855. Transported to Australia in 1827 Josephs, gained his certificate of freedom in 1841. In 1852 he won the tender to operate the New Town toll gate for three years. It was during this time that he issued his trade tokens, known as 'Toll Gate' tokens, which would have enabled him to profit from giving change to people passing through his gate.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) featuring the name, address and business of company that issued the tokens: R. Josephs, NewTown Toll, Gate Van Diemen's Land. The Toll Gate is depicted on the obverse and the reverse shows a female figure representing Justice seated on a wool bale with legs to left but her head and upper body to front. A wine barrel lies on the ground behind her and a three-masted sailing ship sails to the right on the horizon to the left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm bare and right draped to near the elbow. This token has been cleaned and the reverse has re-toned dark green.

Obverse Description

At centre an image of the toll gate with associated building; around, NEW TOWN TOLL GATE * R. JOSEPHS *

Reverse Description

Female figure representing Justice seated on a wool bale with legs to left but her head and upper body to front. A wine barrel lies on the ground behind her and a three-masted sailing ship sails to the right on the horizon to the left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm bare and right draped to near the elbow. Around above VAN DIEMEN'S LAND, in exergue, 1855.

Edge Description

Plain

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