Summary
Bronze Halfpenny Token, probably minted by Heaton and Sons, Birmingham. Issued by J. MacGreggor, Sultan's Steam Coffee Works & City Tea Warehouse, Sydney, circa 1868. James MacGregor's first business opened in 1855 at 464 Elizabeth Street. In 1861 he moved to 204 Pitt Street, between King and Hunter Streets. His success led him to move to 320 George Street in 1865, and he continued to do well in business for another couple of years. Unfortunately, the tokens he commissioned from Heaton and Sons, Birmingham, arrived in 1868, the same year the N.S.W. Government decided to demonetise tokens. This issue consequently holds the doubtful honour of being the last in N.S.W. and the entire issue is thought to have been sold for scrap, at a significant loss for MacGregor.
Previous Collections: George McArthur
Physical Description
A round bronze token (25 mm diameter). The token design featues the name, address and business of the issuer: J. MacGregor, 320 George Street Sydney, City Tea Warehouse and The Sultan's Steam Coffee Works. The reverse features a Coat of Arms with emu and kangaroo supporters and the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA.
Obverse Description
At centre within circle of dots; J.MACGREGOR / 320 / GEORGE STREET / SYDNEY; around THE CITY TEA WAREHOUSE . * . Border of 146 denticles.
Reverse Description
Arms of New South Wales with motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA on ribbon below; ESTABLISHED 1855 above and below within a circle of dots; around, . THE SULTAN'S STEAM COFFEE WORKS . SYDNEY. Border of 145 denticles.
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Numismatics & Philately, Sustainable Futures, Working Life & Trades
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), George McArthur, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1868 AD
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Issued By
J. MacGregor - The Sultan's Steam Coffee Works & City Tea Warehouse, Sydney, Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1868
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Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
Obverse: J. MACGREGOR 320 GEORGE STREET SYDNEY THE CITY TEA WAREHOUSE Reverse: THE SULTAN'S STEAM COFFEE WORKS SYDNEY ESTABLISHED 1855 ADVANCE AUSTRALIA
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Bronze
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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
25 mm (Outside Diameter), 5.556 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
"These are believed to have been the last tokens issued in New South Wales, as they were only received in the Colony just as the Act suppressing tokens was passed" Andrews p. 67 "The last copper or bronze idssue in N.S.W. in 1868" Heyde p.57
[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. 340
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 155
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Keywords
