Summary

Steel one Penny Token obverse die, created by Thomas Stokes in Melbourne, in 1962. Used as a stock die by Thomas Stokes, Diesinker, Token Maker & Medallist, Melbourne. 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 steel die 55 mm high with a main diameter of 54 mm and a working surface diameter of 34 mm. The die features the name, address and business of the firm: THOMAS STOKES 100 COLLINS STREET EAST MELBOURNE MILITARY ORNAMENT BUTTON & TOKEN MAKER. It has chipped to the tops of the letters LITA.

Obverse 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, address and business of the firm: THOMAS STOKES 100 COLLINS STREET EAST MELBOURNE MILITARY ORNAMENT BUTTON & TOKEN MAKER. It has chipped to the tops of the letters LITA.

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