Summary

This copper Halfpenny mule token was minted by W.J. Taylor of London. It is a E. F. Dease Token Halfpenny, issued in Launceston, Tasmania in 1855 muled with a H.J. Hall Token Halfpenny, issued in Christchurch, New Zealand, circa 1875. Taylor retained the dies for both tokens and used them to make mules in the 1880s.

Dease was a wholesale and retail draper in Launceston. He issued token penny and halfpenny pieces, from his store 'The Golden Fleece' in 1855. Henry Hall was a grocer, wine and spirit merchant and ran a coffee mill. He arranged for two mints to strike tokens, W.J. Taylor in London, and Stokes in Melbourne. Hall issued nineteen penny token varieties, and three halfpennies. They were very simply designed, with text and no graphic elements.


Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria

Physical Description

A round copper token mule (28 mm diameter). The piece features the name and business of two original token issuers: H. J. Hall, family grocer, wine & spirit Merchant and Dease's reverse detailing his business, wholesale and retail draper. This token has been cleaned and varnished.

Obverse Description

Across centre, H.J. HALL around, FAMILY GROCER WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANT

Reverse Description

Across centre, E.F. DEASE above and below, HALF / PENNY around WHOLESALE & RETAIL DRAPERY WAREHOUSE . BRISBANE ST. .

Edge Description

Plain

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