Summary

Copper one Penny token, minted by Thomas Stokes of Melbourne, circa 1918. Originally issued by Thomas Stokes, Diesinker, Token Maker & Medallist, Melbourne. This token is a late-strike of one of a uniface penny struck by Stokes. Thomas Stokes migrated to Australia in search of gold in the 1850s, being unsuccessful he returned to his trade as a die-maker and button maker. In 1857 Stokes acquired a press from W.J. Taylor and began to mint large numbers of tradesmen's tokens. He also commenced the Australian Medallic Issues. In 1873 Stokes took a partner, Martin, and the business was re-named Stokes & Martin. In 1893 a disastrous fire damaged a large portion of the business, Martin had forgotten to renew the fire insurance policy, and the partnership was dissolved as a result. Stokes rebuilt the business as Stokes & Son. The business became a proprietary concern in 1911, re-named Stokes & Son Pty Ltd. In 1935 the business moved to Brunswick, and in 1962 Stokes became a public company, renamed Stokes (Australasia) Pty Ltd. Today the business is located in Ringwood.

Physical Description

A uniface round copper token (36 mm diameter) featuring a Stokes stock coat of arms reverse consisting of a central shield set on grass covered ground and below Rising Sun. On left a kangaroo seated facing out but head back towards sun and on right emu with similar stance. Below a bouquet of rose, thistles and shamrock, a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA, the bouquet continues below the ribbon. The shield is quartered by a cross with a star at the centre and at the end of each arm. The cross is shaded. The quarters contain: top left, a three-masted sailing ship; top right, a golden fleece; bottom left, an anchor; and bottom right, a wheat sheaf. Around above, VICTORIA . 1862; around below in two lines in small lettering, T. STOKES MAKER / 100 COLLINS ST. EAST MELBOURNE but deterioration of the die caused most of the second line to be missing.

Obverse Description

Coat of arms consisting of a central shield set on grass covered ground and below Rising Sun. On left a kangaroo seated facing out but head back towards sun and on right emu with similar stance. Below a bouquet of rose, thistles and shamrock, a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA, the boquet continues below the ribbon. The shield is quartered by a cross with a star at the centre and at the end of each arm. The cross is shaded. The quarters contain: top left, a three-masted sailing ship; top right, a golden fleece; bottom left, an anchor; and bottom right, a wheat sheaf. Around above, VICTORIA . 1862; around below in two lines in small lettering, T. STOKES MAKER / 100 COLLINS ST. EAST MELBOURNE but deterioration of the die caused most of the second line to be missing.

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