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.
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
circa 1918 AD
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Issued By
Thomas Stokes, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Mint
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Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
VICTORIA 1862 ADVANCE AUSTRALIA T. STOKES MAKER
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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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
36 mm (Outside Diameter), 24.608 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 559
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Keywords