Summary

Brass Token, minted by Whitty and Brown, Sydney. Issued by the Australian Steam Navigation Co, Sydney, 1851. On 30 June 1851 the Hunter River Steam Navigation Company changed its name to the Australasian Steam Navigation Company (ASN Co), when the original company's objectives were felt to be too restrictive. The renamed company immediately ordered two new ships from Britain. Upon their arrival in April 1852 they were engaged on services to Victoria for the booming gold fields trade, and a further six steamers were ordered from Britain by the end of the year. During the 1850s, the ASN Co. engaged in cut-throat competition with a range of other steamship companies in the Australian market, driving a number out of business including the rival Sydney and Melbourne Steam Packet Company.

Physical Description

A uniface round copper token (31 mm dia) featuring the initials of the issuing company ASNCo and three men wearing hats in a boat on a choppy sea, two are rowing and the third steering.

Obverse Description

The initials of the issuing company ASNCo above three men wearing hats in a boat advancing left on a choppy sea, two are rowing and the third steering

Reverse Description

Blank

Edge Description

Milled

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