Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Thomas Stokes, Melbourne. Issued by Miller Brothers, Coach Builders, Melbourne, 1862. William Miller, a 24 year-old native of Belfast in Northern Ireland, arrived in Australia in November 1857. On board with him was one Nancy Miller, aged 22. William was a coachbuilder, and continued in that trade in Melbourne. After a year or so his brothers, John, Hercules, William and George, joined him in Melbourne. In 1865 only three of the brothers were listed, John had apparently departed. In 1868 Hercules' was the only name associated with the business, In 1869 William returned to the business and was the sole person associated with the listing in 1870. William Miller left Melbourne, and started another coach building business, this time in Bendigo. He ran his business there for twenty years before returning to Melbourne and establishing business in South Melbourne.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: Miller Brothers, Melbourne, coach builders. It features a side view of a buggy on the obverse and Stokes stock vine reverse. This token has been cleaned and has partly re-toned greenish. It has some rim knocks.

Obverse Description

At centre a buggy with COACH above and BUILDERS below; around, MILLER BROTHERS MELBOURNE

Reverse Description

At centre within a line circle a piece of grape vine with eleven large leaves and two bunches of grapes, below, but still within the line circle the manufacturers name T. STOKES MAKER MEL.; around above, VICTORIA . 1862, around below the Latin IN VINO VERITAS. Border of 116 beads. This is a Stokes stock reverse, used for many trade token issuers. It is numbered in the standard catalogues as: Sharples Vine 3 = Heyde Vine 3 = Andrews 7.

Edge Description

Plain

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