Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Smith & Kemp, Birmingham. Issued by Miller & Dismorr, Drapers & Haberdashers, Melbourne, circa 1858. The closest match found for this business is 'Millar and Dismorr, Drapers etc., 43 Collins Street East' in Butterfield's 1855 Melbourne directory. Miller & Dismorr, were listed at the same address, in 1856.

Previous Collections: George McArthur

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: Miller & Dismore, Collins Street, Melbourne, drapers, haberdashers. The reverse states that it is a penny token and names the mint, Smith & Kemp of Birmingham.

Obverse Description

Legend in 5 lines (the 1st and last curved); MILLER & DISMORR / DRAPERS / HABERDASHERS &c / COLLINS. ST. ' MELBOURNE

Reverse Description

ONE / PENNY / TOKEN; below in small letters the manufacturer's name, SMITH & KEMP.BIRMM

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collection Names

    McArthur Bequest

  • Collecting Areas

    Numismatics & Philately, Working Life & Trades

  • Acquisition Information

    Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), George McArthur, 15 Mar 1976

  • Date Issued

    circa 1858 AD

  • Issued By

    Miller & Dismorr, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1852-1862

  • Mint

    Smith & Kemp (Mint), Birmingham, England, Great Britain, 1852-1862

  • Previous Collection

    George McArthur

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: MILLER & DISMORR DRAPERS HABERDASHERS &c COLLINS. ST. MELBOURNE Reverse: ONE PENNY TOKEN SMITH & KEMP .BIRMM

  • Denomination

    1 Penny

  • Series

    Trade Tokens

  • Material

    Copper

  • Axis

    06

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, Australia - victoria, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Overall Dimensions

    34 mm (Outside Diameter), 15.557 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    -Sharples, J.. "Catalogue of Victorian Trade Tokens.' Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. Vol. 7. December 1993: p. 51; -Butterfield J.. Melbourne Commercial Directory for 1855; -Hope, John. Miller & Dismorr. Unpublished MSS. 2005: 2pps. This was the only token issue struck for Australia by the Smith & Kemp mint.
    [Thesis] Lugton, Mary E. 1989. George McArthur of Maldon: his Life and his Book Collection.
    [Catalogue] Morrison, Ian. 2003. The Baker of Maldon.
    [Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 375
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 176
    [Article] Sharples, John P. 1993. A Catalogue of the Trade Tokens of Victoria 1848 to 1862. Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. vol.7: p.1-77., V. 115

  • Keywords

    Drapers, Haberdashers, Retail Trade, Retailing