Summary

Brass One Penny Cast Token, possibly created by Whitty. Based on R. Andrew Mather, Token, minted by Heaton & Sons, Birmingham, circa 1855-1860. Cast trade tokens are probably best all considered counterfeits. Exceptions might be cast examples of the Whitty & Brown trade tokens. Whitty was a brass founder, Brown and engraver. After dissolution of their partnership, Whitty continued to produce crudely cast pieces which were accepted as currency equally with struck tokens "the public being not in the least particular"' Dr. Mark Long. Spinks' Numismatic Circular Sept. 1898 - as quoted in Heyde p. 85.

The Mather family firm was established in 1823 by Robert Andrew Mather Snr, who had arrived in Hobart with his wife Ann in 1822. Robert Andrew Mather Jnr was born and educated in Tasmania and managed the business from the late 1840s until his retirement in 1876, when his sons Robert and Thomas took control, changing the name of the store to Andrew Mather and Co.. Thomas retired from the business in 1894, and Robert was still managing the store in 1910, assisted by his two sons.

Physical Description

A crude brass casting of a round token (33 mm dia) featuring the name, address and business of the company R. Andrew Mather, Hobart Town, Family Draper

Obverse Description

At centre, FAMILY / DRAPER / &c.; around above, . R. ANDREW MATHER. around below, HOBART TOWN

Reverse Description

Justice standing facing left on beach; holds inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow in left hand, extends balanced scales in right; blindfolded; sailing ship in background, around above, TASMANIA (holed through the second A)

Edge Description

Plain

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