Summary
Copper one Penny Surcharged Token, minted by Heaton & Sons in Birmingham. Issued by Annand Smith & Co, Family grocers, in Collins Street, Melbourne. This token has been surcharged 'A. Bush' on both sides, circa 1856. Annand Smith & Co issued Australia's first circulating copper tokens, on 20 October 1849. In 1949 the Numismatic Association of Victoria issued a medal to commemorate the 100th anniversary of that token. The partnership between Annand and Smith was over by 1852.
Annand Smith & Co. had two issues of trade tokens, the first were manufactured by the Soho Mint, Birmingham, in 1849 and the second by Heaton & Sons in 1851. The second issue (from which this token is) has the letters H&S added beside the shield (it is a different Britannia die too).
Physical Description
A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: Annand, Smith & Co., Melbourne, family grocers. The token features on the reverse Britannia seated facing left on a rock against which rests a shield decorated with the Union Jack. Britannia extends an olive branch in her right hand and rests a trident from her left. A crudely illustrated three-masted sailing ship is on the horizon at left. Surcharged A.BUSH on both sides.
Obverse Description
Legend in four lines within a border of 132 beads, ANNAND SMITH & CO / FAMILY / GROCERS / .MELBOURNE. the first and last lines are curved surcharged A.BUSH.
Reverse Description
Britannia seated facing left on a rock against which rests a shield decorated with the Union Jack. Britannia extends an olive branch (with six leaves and five berries) in her right hand and rests a trident from her left. A three-masted sailing ship is on the horizon at left; above, BRITANNIA; to the left of the shield K (the artist's initial) and to the right H&S (for Heaton & Sons) surcharged A.BUSH.
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 National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Mr Alfred Chitty, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1851 AD
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Issued By
Annand, Smith & Co., Collins Street, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1851
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Mint
Heaton & Sons (Mint), Icknield Street, Birmingham, England, Great Britain, 1851
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Artist
Conrad H. Kuchler - Royal Mint, London & Soho Mint, Birmingham, 1849
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Surcharged By
A. Bush, Livery Stables, 281 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1856
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Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
Obverse: ANNAND SMITH & CO FAMILY GROCERS MELBOURNE surcharged A.BUSH Reverse: BRITANNIA K H&S surcharged A.BUSH
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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), 16.16 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Henderson, R.L., 'Annand, Smith and Co.', in Australian Numismatist, 1988 Special Bicentennial Edition, pp.12 - 16 [photocopy]; Gardner, F.,' Trade tokens and the businesses that issued them', The Australian Storekeepers & Traders Journal, 31 January 1911, pp.13 - 14; Advertisement, Melbourne Commercial Directory, compiled by P.W. Pierce, 1853, unnumbered page at rear of directory.
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No.18 & 1027
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No.14/2
[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.49
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Keywords
Grocers, Horsedrawn Vehicles, Import Trade, Retail Trade, Retailing, Surcharged Tokens
