Summary

One Penny Token, minted by an unknown British mint, circa 1862. Issued by Fenwick Brothers, Importers & Clothiers, Melbourne. In November 1852 Orlando Fenwick arrived in Melbourne, he brought goods out from England with him to found a drapery business. He began business in the Western Market, and then moved to the diggings where he opened a business, Fenwick and Snowden, that lasted about 12 months. Fenwick then opened a store at Sandridge (Port Melbourne). In 1857 Fenwick moved his business to King Street and was joined by his brother Pascoe. In 1862 they opened a wholesale warehouse in Collins Place (Equitable Place). Fenwick Bros. issued two tokens,which bear their address, and the government flagstaff, giving prospective customers a clear indication of where to find the store.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: Fenwick Brothers, 225 King Street, Melbourne, Importers and Clothiers. The obverse features a view of Observatory House beside a large flagstaff with cross stays, ropes etc. A single flag, divided horizontally with the top half shaded in vertical lines and the bottom plain (red and white), flies from the left side of the flagstaff. The reverse features a profile portrait of Queen Victoria. There is a hole through the token behind the Queen's head.

Obverse Description

At centre, a view of Observatory House beside a large flagstaff with cross stays, ropes etc. A single flag, divided horizontally with the top half shaded in vertical lines and the bottom plain (red and white), flies from the left side of the flagstaff. Around, FENWICK BROTHERS IMPORTERS & CLOTHIERS. 225 KING ST . above address, FLAG STAFF

Reverse Description

At centre head of Queen Victoria facing left, around, 225 KING STREET MELBOURNE .VICTORIA .

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collection Names

    Royal Melbourne Mint Collection

  • Collecting Areas

    Clothing & Textiles, Numismatics & Philately, Working Life & Trades

  • Acquisition Information

    Transfer from Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint, 11 Jan 1978

  • Date Issued

    circa 1862 AD

  • Issued By

    Fenwick Brothers, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1854-1863

  • Previous Collection

    Royal Mint, Melbourne Branch

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: FENWICK BROTHERS IMPORTERS & CLOTHIERS 225 KING ST. FLAG STAFF Reverse: 225 KING STREET MELBOURNE VICTORIA

  • Denomination

    1 Penny

  • Series

    Trade Tokens

  • Material

    Bronze

  • Axis

    12

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, Australia - victoria, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    34 mm (Outside Diameter), 13.163 g (Weight)
    Holed

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    "The building with the flag staff shown on these coins ia a relic of the early days when ships arriving were signalled the class of ship and where from being indicated by different flags" Alfred Chitty catalogue p.76, 1923 The Fenwick Brothers issue of penny tokens required one obverse and two reverse dies for it's production. Identification of the die combination employed to make a particular token is the key to both the standard references and the museum storage system. The dies can be recognised by: Reverse 1 There is a line circle around the Queen's head 2 There is no line circle around the Queen's head The following die combinations have been recorded: A/1, A/2 (this token)
    [Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 121
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 69
    [Article] Sharples, John P. 1993. A Catalogue of the Trade Tokens of Victoria 1848 to 1862. Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. vol.7: p.1-77., V. 67

  • Keywords

    Clothing Trade, Import Trade, Merchants, Outfitters