Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Heaton & Sons, Birmingham, circa 1855-1860. Issued by R. Andrew Mather, Family Draper, Hobart, Tasmania. This 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 round copper token (34 mm diameter) featuring the name and business of the company which issued the tokens: R. Andrew Mather & Co. Hobart Town, Family Drapers. The reverse depicts a female figure representing Justice standing facing left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm is draped to near the elbow while drapery falls from her extended arm to below the horizon line behind; around above, TASMANIA. A three-masted sailing ship on horizon at left of token. This token has been cleaned and has re-toned dark green.

Obverse Description

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

Reverse Description

Female figure representing Justice standing facing left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm is draped to near the elbow while drapery falls from her extended arm to below the horizon line behind; around above, TASMANIA. A three-masted sailing ship on horizon at left of token.

Edge Description

Plain

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