Summary
Copper one Penny token minted by Heaton & Son in Birmingham, circa 1858. Issued by Morrin & Co, grocers, wine and spirit merchants, in Queen Street, Auckland. John Morrin did not remain in business very long as in later life he was the Auckland representative of Arthur Heather, merchant, Customs Street.
Previous Collections: George McArthur
Physical Description
A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token features the name, address and business of the issuer: Morrin & Co., Queen St. Auckland, grocers wine and spirit merchant, around a palm tree. The reverse features 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, ADVANCE AUCKLAND. A Maori, holding a spear, and a gold prospector, holding a pick, shake hands at left of token below the scales. This token has been cleaned and varnished
Obverse Description
At centre a palm tree, around in four curved lines, MORRIN & Co. / QUEEN STREET / AUCKLAND / GROCERS, WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS
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 near the horizon line behind; around above, ADVANCE AUCKLAND. A Maori, holding a spear, and a gold prospector, holding a pick, shake hands at left of token below the scales.
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), George McArthur, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
circa 1858 AD
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Issued By
Morrin & Co, Grocers & Wine Merchants, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, circa 1858
In the 1870s the large copper tokens were not being produced as smaller bronze pieces were being produced. -
Mint
Heaton & Sons (Mint), Birmingham, England, Great Britain, 1852-1870
Associated with this mint by Lampard probably on the basis of the standing Justice reverse type. -
Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
Obverse: MORRIN & Co. QUEEN STREET AUCKLAND GROCERS, WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS Reverse: ADVANCE AUCKLAND
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
12
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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
34 mm (Outside Diameter), 14.877 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
The Morrin & Co. issue required three obverse and two reverse dies for its production. The dies can be identified as follows: Obverse top frond of palm Reverse Head of Justice A below S of STREET 1 below A of AUCKLAND B below T of STREET 2 below AU of AUCKLAND C below ST of STREET The following die combinations have been recorded: A/1, B/1, B/2 (this token), C/2
[Thesis] Lugton, Mary E. 1989. George McArthur of Maldon: his Life and his Book Collection.
[Catalogue] Morrison, Ian. 2003. The Baker of Maldon.
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 388
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 187/3
[Book] Lampard, William H. 1981. Catalogue of New Zealand Coins Tokens Bank Notes., No. 335a
[Book] Humberstone, Vaughn. 2010. Merchants Making Money.
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Keywords
Gold, Grocers, Maori Culture, Maoris, Wine & Spirit Merchants