Summary

Australia Tasmania Hobart
W.D. Wood Token Penny c. 1854
Mint: Uncertain British
Previous Collections: George McArthur
Standard References: Andrews 641 = Heyde 279
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 B/2, 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 aflag staff and trees can be seen above the building.

Obverse Description

Legend in seven lines, ONE PENNY TOKEN / PAYABLE / ON DEMAND HERE / MONTPELLIER RETREAT / INN / HOBART TOWN / W.D. WOOD

Reverse Description

Corner view of hotel with flag-pole and trees behind; above, MONTPELLIER RETREAT INN; below, W.D. WOOD

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

    circa 1854 AD

  • Issued By

    W D Wood - Montpellier Retreat Inn, Hobart, Greater Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 1850-1855

  • Previous Collection

    George McArthur

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: ONE PENNY TOKEN PAYABLE ON DEMAND HERE MONTPELLIER RETREAT INN HOBART TOWN W.D. WOOD Reverse: MONTPELLIER RETREAT INN W.D. WOOD

  • Denomination

    1 Penny

  • Material

    Copper

  • Axis

    06

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, Australia - tasmania, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    34 mm (Outside Diameter), 17.585 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    Andrews 641 = Heyde 279 Wood issued two types of penny tokens. The one, dated 1855 is classified as dies A/1 as dated pieces are listed before undated in Andrews. However the heavier weight of this, 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. The halfpenny denomination was also issued at the same time (see NU 4560).
    [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