Summary

Copper One Penny Surcharged Token minted by an unknown British mint. Issued by J. McFarlane, Wholesale & Retail Grocer, in Melbourne, Victoria, circa 1851. Surcharged W.H.K. & W. KERNOT circa 1857.

McFarlane arrived in Melbourne in 1841 and sent goods to the goldfields during the rushes, in addition to his business in the city. He was probably the second Melbourne merchant to issue tokens. McFarlane appeared before the insolvents court in 1956 but reopened his business a few weeks later.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: J. McFarlane, corner Elizabeth and Lonsdale Streets Melbourne, wholesale and retail grocer. The reverse features a female figure standing, facing. She holds an olive branch raised in her right hand and rests her left on the head of a gambolling lamb. A tame lion steps from behind her below the olive branch. This token has been surcharged W.H.K. & W. KERNOT.

Obverse Description

At centre in 3 lines; J. McFARLANE / WHOLESALE & RETAIL / GROCER around, CORNER OF ELIZABETH & LONSDALE STS . MELBOURNE surcharged W. KERNOT

Reverse Description

The reverse features a female figure in long flowing dress standing, facing. She holds an olive branch raised in her right hand and rests her left on the head of a gambolling lamb. A tame lion steps from behind her below the olive branch. ; around, PEACE AND PLENTY surcharged W.H.K.

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collection Names

    Alfred Chitty Collection

  • Collecting Areas

    Numismatics & Philately, Working Life & Trades

  • Acquisition Information

    Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Mr Alfred Chitty, 15 Mar 1976

  • Date Issued

    circa 1851 AD

  • Issued By

    J. McFarlane, Wholesale & Retail Grocer, cnr Elizabeth & Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1850-1851

  • Surcharged By

    W H Kernot - Chemist, Geelong, Victoria, Australia, circa 1857
    'W.H. Kernot was a Chemist at Chillwell, Geelong' - A. Andrews, Australisian Tokens, p.144.

  • Previous Collection

    Mr Alfred Chitty

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: J. McFARLANE WHOLESALE & RETAIL GROCER CORNER OF ELIZABETH & LONSDALE STS. MELBOURNE surcharged W. KERNOT Reverse: PEACE AND PLENTY surcharged W.H.K.

  • Denomination

    1 Penny

  • Material

    Copper

  • Axis

    12

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, Australia - victoria, Surcharged strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    34 mm (Outside Diameter), 18.18 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    Brief bio. of J. McFarlane by Gardner, F., originally published in The Australian Storekeepers and Traders Journal, c.1910 - 1914, republished in The Australian Coin Review, June 1970, p. 17.; The Argus, 16 December 1856, p.5 (photocopy) - record of insolvency meeting 15/12/1856; Sharples, J., "Catalogue of Victorian Trade Tokens' in Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia, Vol. 7, December 1993, pp.49 - 50. Records indicate that McFarlane was in business at this address in 1850 and 1851. He was probably the second Melbourne merchant to issue tokens (the first being Annand, Smith & Co. in 1849). Sharples JNAA.7, p. 49 Kernot also surcharged Holloway tokens dated 1857, Andrews No.1144 p. 144. "W.H. Kernot was a Chemist at Chillwell, Geelong" A. Andrews, Australisian Tokens, p.144
    [Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 360
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 145/1
    [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. 110

  • Keywords

    Grocers, Retail Trade, Retailing, Surcharged Tokens, Wholesale Trade