Summary
Copper One Penny Token, minted by Heaton & Sons, Birmingham. Issued by John Martin, Grocer & Tea Dealer, Adelaide, circa 1858. The earliest mention of a John Martin, Grocer, was from 1845, when Martin, John, of the Gillies Arcade was listed in the Royal South Australian Almanac. There was a John Martin, Grocer, Rundle Street, listed in the Royal South Australian Almanacs for 1854 and 1855, but no street numbers were given in the listings. The 1857 Royal South Australia Almanac also included the Gilbert Street listing. The earliest listing of a business exactly matching the inscription on the tokens was in 1858, in 'Howell's Directory for the City and Port of Adelaide'.
Previous Collections: George McArthur
Physical Description
A round copper trade token (34 mm diameter) giving the name, address and business of the issuing firm: John Martin, Rundle St. Adelaide, Grocer and Tea Dealer. The reverse features a representation of Justice standing blindfolded facing to left, extending right arm with balanced scales, inverted cornucopiae from which fruit flows held in left; among the fruit the letter G; above, AUSTRALIA; sailing ship on horizon at left of token.
Obverse Description
JOHN MARTIN / _._ / GROCER / AND / TEA DEALER / 29 / RUNDLE STREET / - / ADELAIDE
Reverse Description
Justice standing blindfolded facing to left extending right arm with balanced scales, in left hand an inverted cornucopiae from which fruit flows (letter G among the fruit); above, AUSTRALIA; sailing ship on horizon at left.
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
-
Collection Names
-
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 1858 AD
-
Issued By
John Martin - Grocer and Tea Dealer, Adelaide, Greater Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1850-1864
-
Mint
-
Inscriptions
Obverse: JOHN MARTIN GROCER AND TEA DEALER 29 RUNDLE STREET ADELAIDE Reverse: AUSTRALIA G
-
Denomination
-
Series
-
Material
Copper
-
Axis
11
-
Classification
-
Category
-
Discipline
-
Type of item
-
Dimensions
34 mm (Outside Diameter), 16.083 g (Weight)
-
Shape
Round
-
References
Heyde (p.58) reports a second reverse with no letter G among the fruit flowing from the cornucopiae. This is not confirmed.
[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. 349
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 160/1
-
Keywords