Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Thomas Stokes, Melbourne. Issued by Crothers & Co, Tea Merchants & Storekeepers, Stawell, circa 1862. The three Crothers brothers, William, David and Hugh, arrived from Canada in August 1854. The brothers travelled the country (most likely trying their luck at the various gold fields) for ten years before deciding to open a store at Stawell. They opened their store in Main Street, Stawell in 1865. After a number of years David left the partnership and opened his own store in Melbourne. The other brothers continued their business until they retired in 1900. In 1910 William was living in Armadale, Hugh was in Stawell and David still running his own business, was in Oakleigh. They issued their tokens after they became illegal, the first penny and the halfpenny being issued in 1865, with the other two tokens issued in later years.

Physical Description

A round bronze token (31 mm diameter). The token features the name, address and business of the issuer: Crothers & Co., The Original Cash Store, Main St. Stawell, Tea Merchants, General Storekeepers. This token has been cleaned and varnished.

Obverse Description

Across centre in two lines, CROTHERS / & CO. around above, TEA MERCHANTS around below, & GENERAL STOREKEEPERS

Reverse Description

Legend in five lines, THE / ORIGINAL / CASH STORE / MAIN ST. / STAWELL The number 304 in ink in the field to left of THE

Edge Description

Plain

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