Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by an unknown British mint. Issued by John Gilmour, New Plymouth, circa 1866. Gilmour's token depicts the seal of New Plymouth which includes Mt. Egmont in the background.

Physical Description

A round bronze token (31 mm diameter). The piece features the name and address (but not the business) of the issuer: John Gilmour, New Plymouth, New Zealand. The reverse depicts the seal of New Plymouth which includes Mt. Egmont in the background. This token has been cleaned and varnished.

Obverse Description

Legend in four lines: JOHN GILMOUR / NEW / PLYMOUTH / NEW ZEALAND

Reverse Description

The seal of New Plymouth which includes a kiwi in the foreground with plam trees behind which, a streatch of sea with a Maori war canoe being rowed to the right by six warriors and Mt. Egmont in the background.

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collection Names

    Alfred Chitty Collection

  • Collecting Areas

    Numismatics & Philately, Working Life & Trades

  • Acquisition Information

    Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Mr Alfred Chitty, 15 Mar 1976

  • Date Issued

    circa 1866 AD

  • Issued By

    John Gilmour, New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand, 1860-1875

  • Previous Collection

    Mr Alfred Chitty

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: JOHN GILMOUR NEW PLYMOUTH NEW ZEALAND

  • Denomination

    1 Penny

  • Series

    Trade Tokens

  • Material

    Bronze

  • Axis

    12

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, New zealand, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    31 mm (Outside Diameter), 8.168 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    Two obverse dies were employed in the production of this issue. Identification ofd the die combination from which a particular token was struck is the basis of the standard references and the museum storage order. The obverse dies were: Obverse Space between NEW and PLYMOUTH Rim border Other A 2.5 mm Denticles Stop before P re-entered at left B 3.0 mm Beads Two die combinations are recorded: A/1 (this token), B/1
    [Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 143
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 80/2
    [Book] Lampard, William H. 1981. Catalogue of New Zealand Coins Tokens Bank Notes., No. 318
    [Book] Humberstone, Vaughn. 2010. Merchants Making Money.

  • Keywords

    Kiwis (Birds), Maori Culture, Maoris