Summary

Australia Tasmania Hobart
W.D. Wood Token Penny 1855
Mint: Uncertain British
Previous Collections: George McArthur
Standard References: Andrews 640 = Heyde 278
Other Details: W.D. Wood ran the Montpellier Retreat Inn in Hobart Town and was a wine and spirit merchant. This token was struck with dies A/1, see References for details of die identification.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) featuring the name, address and business of the company which issued the tokens: W.D. Wood, Montpellier Retreat Inn, Hobart Town, wine and spirit merchant. The reverse features a corner view of the inn with the front door open and Wood standing behind the bar on which sits a wine jug.

Obverse Description

At centre, W.D. WOOD / WINE / & / SPIRIT / MERCHANT around, MONTPELLIER RETREAT . HOBART TOWN .

Reverse Description

Corner view of hotel; above, HOBART TOWN; in exergue, 1855; in small letters around hotel eves, MONTPELLIER RETREAT W.D.WOOD WINE MERCHANT. Wood can be seen through the front door serving behind the bar on which sits a wine or beer jug.

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collection Names

    McArthur Bequest

  • Collecting Areas

    Numismatics & Philately, Sustainable Futures, Working Life & Trades

  • Acquisition Information

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

  • Date Issued

    1855 AD

  • Issued By

    W D Wood - Montpellier Retreat Inn, Hobart, Greater Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 1855

  • Previous Collection

    George McArthur

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: W.D. WOOD WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANT MONTPELLIER RETREAT HOBART TOWN Reverse: HOBART TOWN 1855 MONTPELLIER RETREAT W.D.WOOD WINE MERCHANT

  • Denomination

    1 Penny

  • Series

    Trade Tokens

  • Material

    Copper

  • Axis

    12

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, Australia - tasmania, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    34 mm (Outside Diameter), 13.836 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    Andrews 640 = Heyde 278 Wood issued two types of penny tokens. This one, dated 1855 is classified as dies A/1 as dated pieces are listed before undated in Andrews. However the heavier weight of the second type argues that it is the earlier, dies B/2. Further, it offers the statement "payable on demand here Montpellier Retreat Inn" also suggesting an earlier issue.
    [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.
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand.

  • Keywords

    Hotels, Inns, Wine & Spirit Merchants