Summary

Gilt, 1 Ounce restrike, by an unknown mint. It is a restrike of the 1 ounce gold coin created for the Kangaroo Office in 1853, by W.J. Taylor of London.

W.J. Taylor and his London business partners established the Kangaroo Office to take advantage of the explosive economic growth in Australia following the discovery of gold in 1851. They hoped to buy gold at greatly reduced prices from the gold fields and then release it at full value in the form of assayed quarter-ounce, half-ounce, one ounce and two ounce gold tokens. However due to tardiness, the Kangaroo Office, under the management of Reginald Scaife, was not ready for business until late 1854. By that time an increase in the number of British sovereigns and a greater understanding of the quality of gold being discovered, had seen the price of gold rise, and the potential profits for the Kangaroo Office sharply decline. Examples of the gold tokens were manufactured and displayed at the 1854 Melbourne Exhibition (where they were also available for sale). Two sets were sent to Paris for the 1855 International Exhibition.

Obverse Description

At centre within broad machined rim a kangaroo facing right, below, 1853; around, impressed into machined rim, PORT PHILLIP AUSTRALIA

Reverse Description

At centre within a broad machined rim a large numeral 1; impressed into the numeral, ONE OUNCE; around impressed into machined rim, PURE AUSTRALIAN GOLD ONE OUNCE

Edge Description

PLAIN

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