Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Thomas Stokes, Melbourne. Issued by R. Grieve, Wholesale & Retail Grocers, Eaglehawk, Victoria, circa 1862. A native of Edinburgh, Grieve is thought to have migrated to Australia in 1852 or 1853. Grieve is thought to have worked for Dunn and Bayne in Eaglehawk from October 1853, managing that branch of their business from its opening. After some time he opened his own general store out of a canvas tent. When the land was subdivided into a township, he bought a block and built a substantial store there. Around 1865 he sold the business to his brother Thomas and moved to Melbourne. In Melbourne, Robert opened a store in South Melbourne. His manager was James Herschell. Between arriving in Melbourne and his retirement from active business in 1880, Grieve did well and opened several stores in the suburbs of South and Port Melbourne, making him one of the largest businessmen in that district.

Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token features the name, address and business of the issuer: R. Grieve, wholesale and retail grocer, Eaglehawk. 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 and on right emu with similar stance. 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.

Obverse Description

At centre, EAGLE/R.GRIEVE/HAWK around, WHOLESALE & RETAIL GROCER : border of 112 beads

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.

Edge Description

Plain

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