Summary

Copper one Penny Token, minted by Stokes & Martin, circa 1873. Issued by Hobday & Jobberns, in Christchurch, New Zealand, circa 1873.

Hobday & Jobberns was a drapery business in Christchurch, New Zealand. Little is know about the firm other than its fiery end. Just before two o'clock in the afternoon of October 1888, a fire broke out in a pressing room. It destroyed the building but all the staff escaped unharmed.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The piece features the name, address and business of the issuer: Hobday & Jobberns, Waterloo House, Christchurch, Drapers. The reverse features a shield set above a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE CANTERBURY. The top third of the shield depicts a railway line emerging from a tunnel (damage to the tunnel opening on the die has led some to add varieties, rejected here). Below are argicultural symbols - a wheat sheaf, horse head, cow head and plough. The makers name, STOKES & MARTIN MELBOURNE, in tiny letters around the rim from 07 to 05. This token shows die damage around the tunnel mouth making it appear wider.

Obverse Description

Legend in five lines: HOBDAY & JOBBERNS / DRAPERS / WATERLOO / HOUSE / CHRISTCHURCH

Reverse Description

A flat topped shield set above a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE CANTERBURY. The top third of the shield depicts a railway line emerging from a tunnel (damage to the tunnel opening on the die has led some to add varieties, rejected here). Below are argicultural symbols - a wheat sheaf, horse head, cow head and plough. The makers name, STOKES & MARTIN MELBOURNE, in tiny letters around the rim from 07 to 05. Shows die damage around the tunnel mouth making it appear wider.

Edge Description

Plain

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