Summary
Copper Halfpenny 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: George McArthur
Physical Description
A round copper token (28 mm diameter). The token features the name and business of the issue together with the denominationr: Henry J. Hall, Christchurch Coffee Mills, family grocer, wine and spirit merchant.
Obverse Description
Across centre, HALF / PENNY around, HENRY J. HALL CHRISTCHURCH COFFEE MILLS
Reverse Description
Across centre, H.J. HALL around, FAMILY GROCER WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANT
More Information
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Collection Names
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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), George McArthur, 15 Mar 1976
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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
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Inscriptions
Obverse: HENRY J. HALL CHRISTCHURCH COFFEE MILLS HALF 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
28 mm (Outside Diameter), 9.207 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Although Hall employed two mints to strike his penny tokens, W.J. Taylor and Stokes. Only Taylor struck the halfpenny denomination. He later, c. 1880, used the Hall halfpenny die with dies of Dease and Livy to make mules. Die identification is the basis of standard references and the museum storage system and for the halfpenny is straightforward. Obverse Other A HALF PENNY at centre Reverse Other 1 H.J. HALL at centre 2 LEATHER & GRINDERY at centre 3 E.F. DEASE at centre The following die combinations have been recorded: Original strikes: A/1 Late strikes: A/2, 1/3
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 161
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 90
[Book] Lampard, William H. 1981. Catalogue of New Zealand Coins Tokens Bank Notes., No. 322
[Book] Humberstone, Vaughn. 2010. Merchants Making Money.
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Keywords
Coffee, Grocers, Retail Trade, Retailing, Wine & Spirit Merchants
