Summary

Bronze Halfpenny Token, minted by an unknown British mint. Issued by Kirkcaldie & Stains, Wellington, New Zealand, circa 1875. The business was founded by Englishman John Kirkaldie, who had been apprenticed as a draper; and Scot Robert Stains, who had a retail trade background. The met in Sydney and decided to pool their capital to establish a business in New Zealand. They settled on Wellington as the place, and their first store was the hulk of a wrecked ship, at Lambton Quay. In 1886 Robert Stains returns to England and the partnership was dissolved. The business remained in the hands of the Kirkcaldie family until the 1930s. In 1931 the business was sold to British Overseas Stores, who sold it to the Renouf Corporation (later Hellaby Holdings) in 1985. Kirkcaldie & Stains closed in 2016.

Physical Description

A round bronze token (26 mm diameter). The piece features the name, address and business of the issuer: Kirkcaldie & Stains, general drapers and outfitters, Wellington. The reverse features a coat of arms with a bearded bust as crest (John Kirkcaldie?).

Obverse Description

Legend in six lines, the first and last curved: KIRKCALDIE & STAINS / GENERAL / DRAPERS / AND / OUTFITTERS / . WELLINGTON .

Reverse Description

Coat of arms with a bearded bust as crest, around, KIRKCALDIE WELLINGTON motto on ribbon, FORTISSIMA VERITAS

Edge Description

Plain

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