Summary
Copper one Penny Token, minted by W.J. Taylor of London. Issued by Henry J. Hall, Christchurch, New Zealand, circa 1862. Henry Hall was a grocer, wine and spirit merchant and ran a coffee mill. He arranged for two mints to strike tokens, W.J. Taylor in London, and Stokes in Melbourne. Hall issued nineteen penny token varieties, and three halfpennies. They were very simply designed, with text and no graphic elements.
Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria
Physical Description
A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token features the name and business of the issuer: Henry J. Hall, Christchurch Coffee Mills together with the denomination, one penny. The reverse repeats his name, as H.J. Hall and adds: family grocer, wine and spirit merchant. This token has been cleaned and varnished.
Obverse Description
Across centre in two lines between elongated diamond shaped bars, ONE / PENNY around above and below, HENRY J. HALL CHRISTCHURCH COFFEE MILLS
Reverse Description
Across centre, H.J. HALL around, FAMILY GROCER WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANT
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collecting Areas
Numismatics & Philately, Sustainable Futures, Working Life & Trades
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 20 Jul 1998
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Date Issued
circa 1862 AD
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Issued By
Henry J Hall - Christchurch Coffee Mills, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand
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Mint
W.J.Taylor, Mint, London, England, Great Britain, circa 1862
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Commissioned By
Henry J Hall - Christchurch Coffee Mills, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand, circa 1862
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Previous Collection
Numismatics Collection, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), pre 1976
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Inscriptions
Obverse: HENRY J. HALL CHRISTCHURCH COFFEE MILLS ONE PENNY Reverse: H.J. HALL FAMILY GROCER WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANT
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
34 mm (Outside Diameter), 14.547 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Hall employed two mints to strike his tokens, W.J. Taylor and Stokes. Both firms later meployed the dies to make restrikes and concoctions for collectors. This token is a Taylor strike for details of Stokes products, referred to in the catalogues as 'without bars' see NU 3788. Die identification is the basis of standard references and the museum storage system. This is a Taylor product 'with bars', the dies are: Obverse + to C of CHRIST E to M of MILLS Other B HENRY J. HALL ONE PENNY C 3.0 mm 3.0 mm D 2.0 mm 4.0 mm D2 as D but die deteriorated through rusting - may indicate a later strike E 2.1 mm 5.0 mm F 1.5 mm 4.0 mm Reverse Y to G of GROCER Other 4 2.0 mm
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 159
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 89
[Book] Lampard, William H. 1981. Catalogue of New Zealand Coins Tokens Bank Notes., No. 322c
[Book] Humberstone, Vaughn. 2010. Merchants Making Money.
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Keywords
Coffee, Grocers, Retail Trade, Retailing, Wine & Spirit Merchants
