Summary
Copper One Penny Token, minted by T. Pope & Co, Birmingham. Issued by T. Pope & Co Mint, circa 1855. These pieces, though promoting the profitability of exporting tokens to Australia, have been widely accepted as circulating here. The exact mechanism for placing them into circulation is not known. It is thought that they were distributed to the retail trades through wholesalers in either Melbourne and/or Sydney.
Physical Description
A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name, address and business of the manufacturer: T. Pope & Co. St. Paul's Square, Birmingham, coin and press makers. The reverse features Britannia seated extending an olive branch with a trident resting on her left shoulder and shield resting against the rock on which she sits. The Britannia reverse is similar to that on the standard British copper coins of the era.
Obverse Description
THE AUSTRALIAN / TOKENS / MANUFACTURED BY / T. POPE & Co. / (COIN & PRESS MAKERS, / ST PAUL'S SQUARE / BIRMINGHAM,) / ARE VERY PROFITABLE / TO EXPORT
Reverse Description
Britannia seated facing left holding trident and olive branch; shield bearing Union Jack rests behind; sailing ship at sea on left of token; above, BRITANNIA
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint, 1978
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Date Issued
circa 1855 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
Obverse: THE AUSTRALIAN TOKENS MANUFACTURED BY T. POPE & Co. (COIN & PRESS MAKERS, ST PAUL'S SQUARE BIRMINGHAM,) ARE VERY PROFITABLE TO EXPORT Reverse: BRITANNIA
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
12
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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
34 mm (Outside Diameter), 16.191 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
These pieces, though promoting the profitability of exporting tokens to Australia, have, since the Nineteenth century, been widely accepted as circulating here. The exact mechanism for placing them into circulation is not known. It is thought that they were distributed to the retail trades through wholesalers in either Melbourne and/or Sydney.
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 658
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 211