Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Thomas Stokes, Melbourne. Issued by Jas Davey & Co, Drapers, Grocers & Importers, Gippsland Store, Sale, 1862. James Davey was born in Bristol, England and came to Victoria in 1850, spending a year at a place then called Fiery Creek, now Beaufort, before returning to England. He returned to Victoria in 1857. He soon established a general store 'The Gippsland Mart' in Sale in partnership with a Mr McKenzie. The partnership, was later disposed of and Davey carried on alone. In 1865 he sold the grocery, crockery and ironmongery sections of his business to his brother-in-law, Mr Sprod, and moved the Drapery business next door, it went intoreceivership in late 1866 and closed on 2nd February 1867. But in March Davey found himself able to buy his stock back and re-open the business. In 1867 Davey drowned, in what appeared to be a case of suicide. After his sudden death at the age of 42, his widow, Matilda Davey, carried on the business with indifferent success, until June 1879.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) with the name, address and business of the issuer: Jas Davey & Co. Gippsland Store, Foster St., Sale, wholesal & retail draper, grocer and importer. The reverse is a Stokes stock Arms type: Coat of arms consisting of a central shield set on grass covered ground and below Rising Sun. On left a kangaroo seated facing out but head back towards sun (sejant sinister reguardant) and on right emu with similar stance (passant dexter reguardant). Below ground line and set on bouquet of rose, thistles and shamrock, a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE VICTORIA. The shield is quartered by a cross with a star at the centre and at the end of each arm. The cross is not shaded. The quarters contain: top left, a three-masted sailing ship; top right, a golden fleece; bottom left, an anchor; and bottom right, a wheat sheaf. Around above, VICTORIA . 1862 around below in two lines, T. STOKES MAKER / 100 COLLINS ST. EAST MELBOURNE. The token is stained probably from burial.

Obverse Description

At centre within a line circle in six lines, JAS. DAVEY / & CO. / GIPPSLAND / STORE / FOSTER ST. / SALE; around, WHOLESALE & RETAIL DRAPERS GROCERS & IMPORTERS :

Reverse Description

Coat of arms consisting of a central shield set on grass covered ground and below Rising Sun. On left a kangaroo seated facing out but head back towards sun (sejant sinister reguardant) and on right emu with similar stance (passant dexter reguardant). Below ground line and set on bouquet of rose, thistles and shamrock, a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE VICTORIA. The shield is quartered by a cross with a star at the centre and at the end of each arm. The cross is not shaded. The quarters contain: top left, a three-masted sailing ship; top right, a golden fleece; bottom left, an anchor; and bottom right, a wheat sheaf. Around above, VICTORIA . 1862 around below in two lines, T. STOKES MAKER / 100 COLLINS ST. EAST MELBOURNE. The E of EAST is double entered (initially being placed half a letter height too low) and then T of EAST is below the M of MAKER. The standard references for the die used to make this token are: Andrews 14 = Heyde Arms 6 = Sharples Arms 5.

Edge Description

Plain

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