Summary
Copper one Penny token, minted by Heaton & Sons of Birmingham, circa 1857. Issued by Smith, Peate & Co. Grocers, Tea & Wine Merchants in Sydney. Surcharged 'Wilson Engraver 390 Pitt S'.
In 1855 Thomas Peate and Alfred Harcourt joined Edward A. Smith to form Smith, Peate and Co., Shipping and Family Grocers and Wine Merchants, in Sydney. Peate and Smith's grandfathers, Captain George Peate and William Smith, had been the owners of a trading vessel Sally from 1820-1825. During the 1860s the business did well and claimed the patronage of 'His Excellency, the Governor in Chief.' In 1880 the business became Peate and Harcourt. In 1886 W.H. Peate, son of Thomas, moved the business to larger premises, and in 1893 T.J. Turton became a partner in the firm. The Smiths and Harcourt had all retired from the business by this time. The business closed in 1897 and the building was demolished.
Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria
Physical Description
A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token design featuring the name, address, business and foundation date of the issuer: Smith, Peate and Co., 258 & 260 George Street Sydney, grocers, tea dealers, wine merchants. The reverse depicts Justice standing facing left, blindfolded and extending balanced scales from her right hand, her left hand rests on an inverted cornucopiae from which fruits flow. A sailing ship is seen on the horizon to the left of the figure. Surcharged in three lines WILSON / ENGRAVER / 390 PITT S
Obverse Description
Legend in eight lines, SMITH, PEATE & Co. / GROCERS / TEA DEALERS / & / WINE MERCHANTS / 258 & 260 / GEORGE ST. / SYDNEY
Reverse Description
The reverse depicts Justice standing facing left, blindfolded and extending balanced scales from her right hand, her left hand rests on an inverted cornucopiae from which fruits flow (a small G is among the fruit). A sailing ship is seen on the horizon to the left of the figure. Above ESTABLISHED, in exergue, 1836. Surcharged in three lines WILSON / ENGRAVER / 390 PITT S
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collecting Areas
Numismatics & Philately, Sustainable Futures, Working Life & Trades
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
circa 1857 AD
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Issued By
Smith, Peate & Co., Sydney, Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1854-1864
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Mint
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Surcharged By
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Previous Collection
Numismatics Collection, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), pre 1976
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Inscriptions
Obverse: SMITH, PEATE & Co. GROCERS TEA DEALERS & WINE MERCHANTS 258 & 260 GEORGE ST. SYDNEY Reverse: ESTABLISHED 1836 Surcharged in three lines WILSON / ENGRAVER / 390 PITT S
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
12
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Classification
Trade tokens, Australia - new south wales, Surcharged strikes
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
34 mm (Outside Diameter), 15.71 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Table of obverse die variations. This token struck with die A. Die WINE MERCHANTS A to D Rim dots A 29.8 mm 2.0 mm 137 B 28.6 mm 1.5 mm 136 C 29.3 mm 2.0 mm 136 D 29.5 mm 1.2 mm 134
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 485 and No. 1248
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 225/1
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Keywords
Grocers, Retailing, Shops, Surcharged Tokens, Tea, Wine & Spirit Merchants
