Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by an unknown British mint. Issued by Joseph Moir, Economy House, Hobart, Tasmania, circa 1860. Joseph Moir came from Kelso in Scotland, he migrated to Australia with his brother John in 1827. Moir had been a builder in Scotland and stayed in that line of work in Tasmania. He constructed a number of houses and churches in and around Hobart Town. His buildings included a number of substantial dwellings that he retained as rental properties, and were eventually bequeathed to his children and brother. In 1844 he visited Scotland and married Elizabeth Paxton, a woman from his home town before returning to Hobart. In 1849 he again visited Britain, returning in early 1850 to establish "Economy House", which quickly became one of the leading Ironmongery establishments in Hobart. Moir ran ''Economy House" until his death in 1874, and his son Joseph Paxton Moir continued it until 1884.

Previous Collections: George McArthur

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) featuring the name, address and business of the company which issued the tokens: Joseph Moir, Economy House, Murry [sic] St., Hobart Town, Ironmongers.

Obverse Description

Legend in eight lines: JOSEPH MOIR / WHOLESALE / AND / RETAIL / IRONMONGERY / ESTABLISHED / 1850 / HOBART TOWN

Reverse Description

Legend in seven lines: ECONOMY HOUSE / ONE / PENNY TOKEN / PAYABLE / ON DEMAND / HERE / MURRY [sic] STREET

Edge Description

Plain

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