Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Thomas Stokes, Melbourne. Issued by Robert Calder, Wine & Spirit & General Provision Merchant, Castlemaine, Victoria, 1862. Robert Calder is thought to have been a Scotsman from Glasgow. Apparently he established his wine and provisions business in Castlemaine in either the late 1850s or early 1860s. Robert married his Scottish sweetheart, who came out to join him during the 1860s. He died on January 12 1868, about ten years after arriving in Castlemaine.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token features the name, address and business of the issuer: R. Calder, Barker St. Castlemaine, wine, spirit and general provisions merchant. The reverse features a coat of arms consisting of a central shield set on grass covered ground and below Rising Sun. On left a kangaroo seated facing out but head back towards sun (sejant sinister reguardant) and on right emu with similar stance (passant dexter reguardant). Below ground line and set on a spread bouquet of rose, thistles and shamrock, a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE VICTORIA. The shield is quartered by a cross with a star at the centre and at the end of each arm. The cross is not shaded. The quarters contain: top left, a three-masted sailing ship; top right, a golden fleece; bottom left, an anchor; and bottom right, a wheat sheaf. Around above, VICTORIA . 1862 around below in two lines, T. STOKES MAKER / 100 COLLINS ST. EAST MELBOURNE. The E of EAST is double entered (initially being placed half a letter height too low) and then T of EAST is below the M of MAKER.

Obverse Description

At centre within line circle, R.CALDER / BARKER ST. / CASTLEMAINE; around, : WINE SPIRIT & GENERAL PROVISION MERCHANT: 1862

Reverse Description

Coat of arms consisting of a central shield set on grass covered ground and below Rising Sun. On left a kangaroo seated facing out but head back towards sun (sejant sinister reguardant) and on right emu with similar stance (passant dexter reguardant). Below ground line and set on bouquet of rose, thistles and shamrock, a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE VICTORIA. The shield is quartered by a cross with a star at the centre and at the end of each arm. The cross is not shaded. The quarters contain: top left, a three-masted sailing ship; top right, a golden fleece; bottom left, an anchor; and bottom right, a wheat sheaf. Around above, VICTORIA . 1862 around below in two lines, T. STOKES MAKER / 100 COLLINS ST. EAST MELBOURNE. The E of EAST is double entered (initially being placed half a letter height too low) and then T of EAST is below the M of MAKER. This is a Stokes stock reverse referred to in catalogues as: Sharples Arms 5 = Heyde Arms 6 = Andrews 14.

Edge Description

Plain

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