Item NU 4148 Token - 1 Penny, Morrin & Co, Auckland, New Zealand, circa 1858

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