Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Thomas Stokes, Melbourne. Issued by B. Gittos, Leather Merchant, Auckland, 1864. Benjamin Gittos, 1808 - 1884, was one of Auckland's earliest settlers. The Gittos family arrived in Auckland in 1840 and made camp near the waterfront before moving to farm near Hokianga. In 1845 the European settlers at Hokianga fled to Auckland following the outbreak of war with Hone Heke. Two years later Gittos started a leather business in the city, expanding to run a tannery at Avondale, on the Wahu river in 1863. At this tannery he initiated the techniques for tanning with the bark of native trees such as the tanekaha and the towhai. Gittos' son William was an important Methodist missionary in northern New Zealand who learnt Maori language and acted as an interpreter and negotiator between Maori and Pakeha (Europeans) in land and other deals.

Standard References: Andrews 149 = Lampard 319 = Heyde 83

Physical Description

A round copper token (28 mm diameter) featuring the name, address and business of the company that issued the tokens: B. Gittos, Wyndham St. Auckland, leather merchant and importer of boots and shoes. This token has been cleaned and the reverse has re-toned dark green.

Obverse Description

Legend in six lines: B. GITTOS / LEATHER / MERCHANT / IMPORTER OF / BOOTS & SHOES / &c. &c.

Reverse Description

Legend in nine lines: WHOLESALE & RETAIL / LEATHER / & / GRINDERY / STORES / WYNDHAM STREET / AUCKLAND / N.Z. / 1864

Edge Description

Plain

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