Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by an unknown British Mint. Issued by M. Somerville, Wholesale Family Grocer, Auckland, New Zealand, 1857. Little is known about Mark Somerville, although it is certain that his business endured for many years. The corner block where the store was located was 'the datum point for most information given to strangers as to suburban distances; "so many miles from Somerville's corner" was the common form of direction.' (Robinson, 1974, p.142). After many years the store moved to another site in Auckland, and soon after Somerville sold it to a Mr Walter Graham. Somerville died in 1902.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token features the name, address and business of the issuer: M. Somerville, City Mart, Auckland, whilseale family grocer. The reverse features a bouquet of rose, thistle and shamrock with the legend NEW ZEALAND 1857. This token has been cleaned.

Obverse Description

Legend in five lines: M. SOMERVILLE / WHOLESALE / FAMILY GROCER / CITY MART / AUCKLAND

Reverse Description

At centre a bouquet of rose, thistle and shamrock with the legend NEW ZEALAND 1857.

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collection Names

    Royal Melbourne Mint Collection

  • Collecting Areas

    Numismatics & Philately, Working Life & Trades

  • Acquisition Information

    Transfer from Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint, 11 Jan 1978

  • Date Issued

    1857 AD

  • Issued By

    M Somerville - Wholesale Family Grocer, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, 1857

  • Previous Collection

    Royal Mint, Melbourne Branch

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: M. SOMERVILLE WHOLESALE FAMILY GROCER CITY MART AUCKLAND Reverse: NEW ZEALAND 1857

  • Denomination

    1 Penny

  • Series

    Trade Tokens

  • Material

    Copper

  • Axis

    12

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, New zealand, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    34 mm (Outside Diameter), 14.61 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    The Somerville issue required two obverse and three reverse dies for its production. The identification of the dies employed in the production of a particular token are the basis of the standard references and the museum storage system. The dies can be identified as follows: Obverse WHOLESALE A 19.5 mm B 18.3 mm Reverse top leaf points wreath base points top point of thistle 1 to back of E between 85 left side of W 2 between ZE over 5 left side of W 3 between ZE over 57 right side of W The following die combinations have been recorded: A/1, B/1, B/2, B/3 (this token)
    [Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 500
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 227/2
    [Book] Lampard, William H. 1981. Catalogue of New Zealand Coins Tokens Bank Notes., No. 342c
    [Book] Humberstone, Vaughn. 2010. Merchants Making Money.

  • Keywords

    Grocers, Wholesale Trade