Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by W.J. Taylor, London. Issued by Jones & Williamson, Dunedin, 1858. James Jones and Alexander Williamson described their firm as Wholesale and Retail Grocers, Wine, Spirit, and Provision Merchants. They are thought to have traded together from about 1858 to 1864. After 1865 Williamson continued to trade under both their names, although he was listed as sole proprietor. While little is known about Jones, it is known that Williamson was from Selkirk, Scotland, and arrived in New Zealand in 1852.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: Jones & Williamson, wholesale and retail grocers, wine, spirit and provision merchants, Dunedin. The reverse features a female figure representing Justice seated on a wool bale with legs to left but her head and upper body to front. A wine barrel lies on the ground behind her and a three-masted sailing ship sails to the right on the horizon to the left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm bare and right draped to near the elbow. This token has been cleaned.

Obverse Description

Legend in nine lines; JONES & WILLIAMSON / WHOLESALE / & / RETAIL / GROCERS, / WINE, SPIRIT / & PROVISION / MERCHANTS / DUNEDIN

Reverse Description

Female figure representing Justice seated on a wool bale with legs to left but her head and upper body to front. A wine barrel lies on the ground behind her and a three-masted sailing ship sails to the right on the horizon to the left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm bare and right draped to near the elbow. Around above, NEW ZEALAND in exergue, 1858.

Edge Description

Plain

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