Summary
Steel Halfpenny Token Die, made by Reginald Scaife of the Kangaroo Office, Melbourne from an unfinishe steel die prepared by W.J. Taylor of London. It was used to strike Halfpenny tokens for Adamson, Watts, McKechnie & Co., Wholesale and Retail Warehousemen, in Melbourne, circa 1855. Adamson joined the existing softgoods business of Watts and McKechnie & Co in April 1855, however the firm became insolvent in September of that year, a common situation as Melbourne's economy slowed considerably, overwhelmed by the massive boom of the early gold rush.
Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria
Physical Description
A steel die 54 mm high with a base diameter of 45 mm and a working surface diameter of 28 mm for the manufacture of halfpenny denomination trade tokens. The die features the name of the company and it business interests; Adamson, Watts, McKechnie & Co. wholesale and retail warehousemen. It has suffered some corrosion on the working surface.
Obverse Description
Around within a border of 129 beads; ADAMSON, WATTS, MCKECHNIE & CO. . in three lines at centre, WHOLESALE / & RETAIL / WAREHOUSMEN. All incuse mirror.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1855 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
Kangaroo Office (Mint), Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1855
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Commissioned By
Adamson Watts McKechnie & Co., Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1855
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Previous Collection
Numismatics Collection, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), pre 1976
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Inscriptions
ADAMSON, WATTS, MCKECHNIE & Co WHOLESALE & RETAIL WAREHOUSMEN (incuse mirror)
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Steel
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
45 mm (Height), 54 mm (Outside Diameter)
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Keywords
Numismatic Dies, Numismatic Technology, Retail Trade, Retailing, Warehouses, Wholesale Trade
