Summary

Brass one Penny Cast Token, possibly created by Whitty, circa 1855. Based on R. Josephs Trade Token Penny c. 1855. Cast trade tokens are probably best all considered counterfeits. Exceptions might be cast examples of the Whitty & Brown trade tokens. Whitty was a brass founder, Brown and engraver. After dissolution of their partnership, Whitty continued to produce crudely cast pieces which were accepted as currency equally with struck tokens "the public being not in the least particular"' Dr. Mark Long. Spinks' Numismatic Circular Sept. 1898 - as quoted in Heyde p. 85.

Transported to Australia in 1827 Josephs, gained his certificate of freedom in 1841. In 1852 he won the tender to operate the New Town toll gate for three years. It was during this time that he issued his trade tokens, known as 'Toll Gate' tokens, which would have enabled him to profit from giving change to people passing through his gate.

Previous Collections: George McArthur

Physical Description

A very crude cast brass copy of a round striking of a R. Josephs token (33 mm diameter). The token can be recognised by the vague appearance of the roof and chimny of the toll gate with the word TOWN above it. A seated figure of Justice can be seen on the reverse and the letters MENS (from VAN DIEMAN'S LAND) ABOVE HER HEAD.

Obverse Description

mostly illegible, the token can be recognised by the vague appearance of the roof and chimny of the toll gate with the word TOWN above it.

Reverse Description

A seated figure of Justice can be seen on the reverse and the letters MENS (from VAN DIEMAN'S LAND) above her head.

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collection Names

    McArthur Bequest

  • Collecting Areas

    Numismatics & Philately, Working Life & Trades

  • Acquisition Information

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

  • Date Issued

    circa 1855 AD

  • Issued By

    Australia

  • Previous Collection

    George McArthur

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: NEW TOWN TOLL GATE R. JOSEPHS Reverse: VAN DIEMAN'S LAND 1855

  • Denomination

    1 Penny

  • Series

    Trade Tokens

  • Material

    Brass

  • Axis

    12

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, Australia - tasmania, Circulating casts

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    33 mm (Outside Diameter), 12.8 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    The Advance Australia type by Whitty & Brown was copied from an anonymous W.J.Taylor of London issue and occurs both struck and cast. How one should classify a cast example of an unauthorised copy of an anonymous unofficial trade token is interesting.
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., p.85 Pages
    [Thesis] Lugton, Mary E. 1989. George McArthur of Maldon: his Life and his Book Collection.
    [Catalogue] Morrison, Ian. 2003. The Baker of Maldon.

  • Keywords

    Counterfeits