Summary

Steel Halfpenny Token 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 54 mm high with a main diameter of 55 mm and a working surface diameter of 28 mm. The die features the name, city and business of the firm: T. STOKES, MELBOURNE, DIE SINKER SEAL ENGRAVER LETTER CUTTER CHECK & TOKEN MAKER. It has chipped to the base the letters LBOURNE and after the maker's name.

Obverse Description

The die features the name, city and business of the firm in eight lines, the first and last curved: T. STOKES / DIE / SINKER / SEAL ENGRAVER / LETTER CUTTER / CHECK & TOKEN / MAKER / MELBOURNE all incuse mirror. It has chipped to the base the letters LBOURNE and after the maker's name.

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