Summary

Copper one Penny token, minted by Thomas Stokes of Melbourne. Issued by Thomas Stokes, Diesinker, Token Maker & Medallist, Melbourne, in 1862. Surcharged KING. This token is one of the large number of anonymous tokens struck by Stokes late in 1862. Anonymous issues were manufactured employing two stock dies. 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.

Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). There is no name of issuer or mint. The obverse (so called as all 'anonymous' issues by Stokes have a version of it) is the stock Vine: at centre within a line circle a piece of grape vine with leaves and two bunches of grapes; around above, VICTORIA . 1862, around below the Latin IN VINO VERITAS. The reverse is from a stock wheat sheaf die: At centre a wheat sheaf tied with a cord; above, ADVANCE AUSTRALIA below, 1862 surcharged KING below a crown.

Obverse Description

At centre within a line circle a piece of grape vine with eleven large and three small leaves and two bunches of grapes; around above, VICTORIA . 1862, around below the Latin IN VINO VERITAS.

Reverse Description

At centre a wheat sheaf tied with a cord 4.7 mm long, above, ADVANCE AUSTRALIA; below, 1862, surcharged KING below a crown. Border of 114 beads. (Stock reverse Andrews type 21 = Heyde Sheaf 1 = Sharples Sheaf 1).

Edge Description

Plain

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