Summary

Bronze One Penny Token, minted by W.J. Taylor, London. Issued by S. Beaven, Ironmonger, Invercargill, New Zealand, 1863. Samuel Beaven was the only token issuer in the town of Invercargill. He had a farm outside the town in 1859, and in 1861 opened an Ironmongery store. Beaven sold his business to a man by the name of Hall-Jones in 1866 and then moved to Fiji. When Beaven sold his business, he melted down the tokens that he had not distributed. His tokens were made in London using a stock reverse die for Australia - hence the emu, kangaroo and motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The piece features the name, address and business of the issuer: S. Beaven, ironmonger and general merchant, Invercargill. The reverse was a W.J. Taylor stock die for Australian tokens - a coat of arms consisting of a central shield below a rising sun supported by an emu at left and kangaroo at right all resting on a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA. The shield is quartered and contains: upper left - a golden fleece; upper right - a three-masted sailing ship; lower left - a bull standing facing left; lower right an anchor. The surfaces of this token are finely pitted.

Obverse Description

Legend in five lines: S. BEAVEN / IRONMONGER / & / MERCHANT / INVERCARGILL N.Z.

Reverse Description

Coat of Arms consisting of a central shield below a Rising Sun supported by an emu at left and kangaroo at right all resting on a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA. The shield is quartered and contains: upper left - a golden fleece; upper right - a three-masted sailing ship; lower left - a bull standing facing left; lower right an anchor. Around, PEACE & PLENTY 1863

Edge Description

Plain

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