Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by W.J. Taylor, London. Issued by Levy Bros & Co, Fancy Goods Importers, Melbourne, 1855. In 1852 the Levy brothers, Goodman, Nathaniel and Lewis, established a fancy goods warehouse and importing business in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Another brother, Alfred, was a travelling sales representative. They moved to Queen's Arcade in 1853. In 1858 the business moved to Bourke Street, then later to the corner of Flinders Lane and Elizabeth Street, and later to Little Collins Street. In 1890 the business returned to Lonsdale Street. Nathaniel and Lewis retired in 1867, and Goodman took a partner, Walter Josephs. Alfred was murdered on the road from Beechworth to Melbourne, and Goodman moved to England to manage the London end of the business. In 1896 Horace, son of Goodman, was admitted as a partner. When Walter Josephs died in 1907 the business was converted to a Limited Proprietary company. In 1912 the business was still running in Lonsdale Street, with a bulk store in Franklin Street. An advertisement from the time described them as Merchants, Wholesale Distributors and Importers, and stated that they also had operations in London, Hamburg and New York.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: Levy Brothers, Arcade Melbourne, importers of Fancy Goods. 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 is worn and has been cleaned and re-toned green.

Obverse Description

At centre within a bead circle, IMPORTERS / OF / FANCY / GOODS; around above; . LEVY BROTHERS . around below, ARCADE, MELBOURNE

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. Above, AUSTRALIA; in exergue, 1855. Ship sailing on horizon under the scales.

Edge Description

Plain

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