Summary

Copper Halfpenny Token, minted by an unknown British mint. Issued by R.S. Waterhouse, Baby Linen Warehouse, Hobart, circa 1858. Rowland Skipsey Waterhouse was born on 29 January 1818, the son of a Methodist clergyman. In October 1839 the firm of R.S. Waterhouse and brothers was established as General Printers and Bookbinders in Hobart Town. Waterhouse's business interests expanded to include ironmongery and drapery.

Previous Collections: George McArthur

Physical Description

A round copper token (27 mm diameter) featuring the name, address and business of the company which issued the tokens: R.S. Waterhouse, Manchester House, Hobart Town drapery establishment. The reverse of the token depicts a child suspended from a walking trainer.

Obverse Description

R.S.WATERHOUSE / DRAPERY / ESTABLISHMENT / HOBART TOWN / HALFPENNY / TOKEN / MANCHESTER HOUSE, the first and last lines being curved

Reverse Description

Child in Victorian clothing hanging in walking trainer; around in two lines, FOR READY MONEY THE SPIRIT OF TRADE / BABY LINEN WAREHOUSE

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Depiction of child in walking trainer of 1850's.
Explanation of the issue of a trade token - for ready money and the spirit of trade.

More Information

  • Collection Names

    McArthur Bequest

  • Collecting Areas

    Leisure, Clothing & Textiles, Working Life & Trades, Childhood, Numismatics & Philately

  • Acquisition Information

    Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), George McArthur, 15 Mar 1976

  • Date Issued

    circa 1858 AD

  • Issued By

    Rowland Skipsey Waterhouse - Baby Linen Warehouse, Hobart, Greater Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 1850-1865

  • Previous Collection

    George McArthur

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: R.S.WATERHOUSE DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT HOBART TOWN HALFPENNY TOKEN MANCHESTER HOUSE Reverse: FOR READY MONEY THE SPIRIT OF TRADE BABY LINEN WAREHOUSE

  • Denomination

    Halfpenny

  • Series

    Trade Tokens

  • Material

    Copper

  • Axis

    12

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, Australia - tasmania, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    27 mm (Outside Diameter), 5.363 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    The Waterhouse halfpenny tokens required two obverse diea in their production. These can be identified quickly by the relative position of the letter Y of DRAPERY to the letters below it, and be confirmed by the leangth of the word HALFPENNY as follows: Obverse Y above HALFPENNY B M 15.2 mm C ME 13.5 Die numbers A and 1 were allocated to the penny denomination. The following halfpenny combinations have been recorded: 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. 607
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 268/1

  • Keywords

    Drapers, Infants' Clothing, Toys