Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by an unknown British mint. Issued by T.W. Courlay & Co, Ironmongers, Christchurch, circa 1864. This firm traded briefly in Christchurch, probably from 1862 to 1865. The earliest record of the company was from the 22 October 1862 edition of the local paper the Christchurch Press, which announced that the store would be opening on 15th of September; presumably this advertisement had been running for more than a month by the time the October edition was printed. The store was known as Economy House, and was located in Ferry Road, Christchurch. In 1864 part of Ferry Road was renamed High Street, making it likely that the tokens were issued around this date. The business was listed in local directories until 1865.

Previous Collections: George McArthur

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The piece features the name, address and business of the issuer: T.W. Gourlay & Co. Economy House High Street Christchurch, ironmongers. The obverse features a cast iron fireplace and the reverse a two-man timber saw. Heavy knocks to both sides.

Obverse Description

At centre a cast-iron fireplace, above, T.W. COURLAY & Co. / IMPORTERS / OF below, AND / KITCHENERS / CHRISTCHURCH. T

Reverse Description

At centre a two-man timber saw, above, ECONOMY HOUSE / BUILDERS / & / FURNISHING below, IRONMONGERS / HIGH STREET

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collection Names

    McArthur Bequest

  • Collecting Areas

    Numismatics & Philately, Sustainable Futures, Working Life & Trades

  • Acquisition Information

    Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), George McArthur, 15 Mar 1976

  • Date Issued

    circa 1860 AD

  • Issued By

    T.W. Courlay & Co. Ironmongers, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand, circa 1860

  • Previous Collection

    George McArthur

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: T.W. COURLAY & Co. IMPORTERS OF AND KITCHENERS CHRISTCHURCH Reverse: ECONOMY HOUSE BUILDERS & FURNISHING IRONMONGERS HIGH STREET

  • Denomination

    1 Penny

  • Series

    Trade Tokens

  • Material

    Copper

  • Axis

    12

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, New zealand, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    34 mm (Outside Diameter), 13.068 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    The mint which produced the Gourlay tokens is unknown but employed one obverse and two reverse dies for their manufacture. Die identification is the basis of standard references and the museum storage system. The reverse dies can be identified as follows: Reverse Saw Handles Centering bead teeth on saw 1 3.0 mm none 24 2 2.5 mm above saw 22 The following die combinations have been recorded: A/1, A/2 (this token)
    [Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 151
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 84/2
    [Book] Lampard, William H. 1981. Catalogue of New Zealand Coins Tokens Bank Notes., No. 320a
    [Book] Humberstone, Vaughn. 2010. Merchants Making Money.

  • Keywords

    Agricultural Hand Tools, Furniture, Ironmongers