Summary
Copper One Penny Token, minted by W.J. Taylor, London. Issued by A.S. Wilson, Chemist, Dunedin, 1857. Andrew Smith Wilson established a chemist's business in Dunedin under the name 'Medical Hall' in 1852, having recently arrived from Scotland. In 1863 he sold his business to Messrs. Wilkinson and Dixon. so he could work for worked for Reynolds & Co., Aerated water manufacturers. He is also said to have been one of the first photographers in Dunedin and is credited with having taken the first photograph of the town.
Physical Description
A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name and address : A.S. Wilson, Medical Hall, Dunedin, Otago. 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 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. This token has been cleaned.
Obverse Description
Legend in four lines: A.S. WILSON / DUNEDIN / OTAGO / MEDICAL HALL
Reverse Description
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 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, 1857
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint, 11 Jan 1978
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Date Issued
1857 AD
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Issued By
A S. Wilson, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand, 1857
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Mint
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Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
Obverse: A.S. WILSON DUNEDIN OTAGO MEDICAL HALL Reverse: NEW ZEALAND 1857
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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), 14.258 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 639
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 277
[Book] Lampard, William H. 1981. Catalogue of New Zealand Coins Tokens Bank Notes., No. 347
[Book] Humberstone, Vaughn. 2010. Merchants Making Money.