Summary

Steel One Penny Token Die, made by Thomas Stokes, Melbourne, 1862. Used to strike tokens issued by R. Grieve, Wholesale & Retail Grocers, Eaglehawk, Victoria, circa 1862. Then used circa 1918 to strike tokens for collectors. A native of Edinburgh, Grieve is thought to have migrated to Australia in 1852 or 1853. Grieve is thought to have worked for Dunn and Bayne in Eaglehawk from October 1853, managing that branch of their business from its opening. After some time he opened his own general store out of a canvas tent. When the land was subdivided into a township, he bought a block and built a substantial store there. Around 1865 he sold the business to his brother Thomas and moved to Melbourne. In Melbourne, Robert opened a store in South Melbourne. His manager was James Herschell. Between arriving in Melbourne and his retirement from active business in 1880, Grieve did well and opened several stores in the suburbs of South and Port Melbourne, making him one of the largest businessmen in that district.

Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria

Physical Description

A steel die 55 mm high with a base diameter of 54 mm and a working surface diameter of 34 mm. The die features the name, town and business the firm: R. Grieve, Eaglehawk wholesale and retail grocer. It has suffered a small rim chip above the T of RETAIL

Obverse Description

At centre, EAGLE/R.GRIEVE/HAWK around, WHOLESALE & RETAIL GROCER : border of 112 beads. The legend is incuse and mirror.

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