Item NU 4529 Token - 1 Penny, Whitty & Brown Mint, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, circa 1860

Summary

Australia New South Wales Sydney
Whitty & Brown Token Penny c.1860 (AD)
Mint: Whitty and Brown
Previous Collections: George McArthur
Standard References: Andrews 629 = Heyde 202/2

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token does not include the name the issuer and manufacturer: Whitty & Brown, Sydney, but the shared reverse die and characteristic poor workmanship make it clear that this company was responsible. It features a ram facing left and a representation of Justice standing blindfolded holding scales and an inverted cornucopiae spilling fruit on the ground. A sailing ship is on the horizon. The die work is of poor quality and the token weakly struck. This token was struck during the second stage of the obverse and reverse dies. The stages of deterioration of the obverse die are recognised by the development of projections from the base of the ground into the exergue area, on this token there is one large projection from the right side. Stage 1 of the reverse is easiest to recognise by the fold of cloth which curves over the right shoulder and arm of Justice, on Stage 2 it is reformed as a sleeve squared off half way down the arm. Due to a poor quality flan resulting in a pitted centre of the reverse, the form of the sleeve is difficult to see on this token

Obverse Description

Ram standing facing left; around above, PEACE AND PLENTY; around below, . SYDNEY . N.S.W. One die flaw extending from the right side of the ground into the exergue.

Reverse Description

Justice standing facing left on sea shore blindfolded and holding balanced scales in right hand, left hand holds inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow, sailing ship in background at left; above, NEW SOUTH WALES

Edge Description

Plain