Summary

Copper Halfpenny Token, minted by W.J. Taylor, London. Issued by T.S. Forsaith, Manchester House, wholesale and retail draper, Auckland, 1858. Born in England on July 18, 1814, Forsaith decided to migrate to New Zealand after working on several vessels, one of which took him to New Zealand. He lived for a time in the Mangawhare region of Auckland, where his house was destroyed by Maoris. During the process of seeking compensation, the government discovered that he was fluent in the Maori language, and he became a 'sub-protector of natives'. He developed extensive connections with Maori people and established a business trading with them, which became the basis for his business Manchester House in Auckland. Forsaith was also a journalist, member of the New Zealand House of Representatives, and a pastor, in both Australia and New Zealand.

Physical Description

A round copper token (28 mm diameter) featuring the name, address and business of the company that issued the tokens: T.S. Forsaith, Manchester House, Auckland, wholesale and retail draper. 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. Around above, NEW ZEALAND in exergue 1858. This token has been cleaned and varnished.

Obverse Description

At centre within line circle, MANCHESTER HOUSE AUCKLAND around, T.S. FORSAITH WHOLESALE & RETAIL DRAPER

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, NEW ZEALAND in exergue, 1858

Edge Description

Plain

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