Summary

Copper one Penny mule token, minted by Thomas Stokes of Melbourne. Commissioned by R. Grieve, Wholesale and Retail Grocer, Eaglehawk, Victoria and James Dixon, owner of a General Store in Wangaratta, Victoria. This token is a late-strike. Andrews notes that no original tokens struck for Dixon are known and that 'Dixon was unfortunate in business, and very soon after Stokes completed his order had to close down, and it is doubtful whether they ever circulated.'

A Canadian by birth, Dixon arrived in Melbourne in 1851. In approximately 1860 he opened a general store in Wangaratta. He had previously owned a cartage business, which operated out of Melbourne. Although Dixon may have suffered a business crisis around 1862, he is listed of the propreitor of a General Store in Ryley Street, Wangaratta, in Butler & Brookes' 1866-1867 Victorian Directory.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token features the name, town and business of the persons who commissioned the dies from Stokes: James Dixon, Wangaratta, general storekeeper. The reverse is from the R. Grieve of Eagle Hawk die. This is a late strike and the piece has been cleaned and varnished.

Obverse Description

Legend in four lines: JAMES DIXON/ GENERAL / STOREKEEPER / WANGARATTA

Reverse Description

At centre in three lines within a line circle, EAGLE / R. GRIEVE / HAWK around WHOLESALE & RETAIL GROCER :

Edge Description

Plain

More Information