Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Heaton & Sons, Birmingham. Issued by Moubray, Lush & Co, Drapers, Melbourne, circa 1855. The firm was founded in 1853 by Thomas Moubray and Joseph Lush. According to Gardner, in 1866 three new partners were admitted to the firm: Christopher Rowan, J.W. Shanklin and Robert Hicks. Lush died in 1870, in 1876 Shanklin retired, in 1878 G.W. Atkinson joined the firm, and its name became Moubray, Rowan and Hicks. Atkinson soon moved to England to manage the London branch of the business, but his health declined and he retired. About that time the business moved to 350 Collins Street, where it still stood in 1910. Moubray died on 25 September 1891. At his death Moubray's share was purchased by Hicks and Atkinson, along with that of Rowan, and they then brought in their sons and relations as partners. In 1910 the firm was trading under the name Hicks, Atkinson and Sons.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: Moubray, Lush & Co., Melbourne, drapers. The reverse features a female figure representing Justice standing facing left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground among the fruit the letter G. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm is draped to near the elbow while drapery falls from her extended arm to below the horizon line behind; around above, AUSTRALIA. A three-masted sailing ship on horizon at left of token. This token has been cleaned and the reverse has re-toned green. There is an area of damage above the B of MELBOURNE.

Obverse Description

Legend in 4 lines: MOUBRAY LUSH / & Co. / DRAPERS / MELBOURNE

Reverse Description

Female figure representing Justice standing facing left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground among the fruit the letter G. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm is draped to near the elbow while drapery falls from her extended arm to below the horizon line behind; around above, AUSTRALIA. A three-masted sailing ship on horizon at left of token

Edge Description

Plain

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