Summary

Copper One Penny Token, a late strike, minted by Thomas Stokes, Melbourne, circa 1918. Originally issued by Hodgson Bros, Grocers & Produce Merchants, Bendigo, 1862. Three brothers from Lancashire, Jonathan, Joseph, and Jesse Hodgson, established a pair of general stores on the Bendigo diggings in 1853, one at Sailor's Gully and the other at California Gully. Coming to the diggings early in the piece, they are reputed to have participated in prospecting for and establishing a number of mines in the district. They carried on business for some eighteen years, until Mr. Jonathan died about 1871, his brother Joseph following him some twelve or fifteen years later. Mr. Jonathan Hodgson was elected a member of the first Eaglehawk Borough Council directly after its proclamation as a municipality. Both he and Joseph married and left families in the district.

Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token features the name, address and business of the issuer: Gippsland Hardware Company, Port Albert and Sale. The reverse features a coat of arms consisting of a central shield set on grass covered ground and below Rising Sun. On left a kangaroo seated facing out but head back towards sun and on right emu with similar stance. Below ground line and set on bouquet of rose, thistles and shamrock, a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE VICTORIA. The shield is quartered by a cross with a star at the centre and at the end of each arm. The cross is not shaded. The quarters contain: top left, a three-masted sailing ship; top right, a golden fleece; bottom left, an anchor; and bottom right, a wheat sheaf. This token has been cleaned and varnished.

Obverse Description

At centre, HODGSON BROS. / SAILORS / GULLY / & / CALEFORNIA / GULLY / BENDIGO; around, WHOLESALE & RETAIL GROCERS & PRODUCE MERCHANTS .

Reverse Description

Coat of arms consisting of a central shield set on grass covered ground and below Rising Sun. On left a kangaroo seated facing out but head back towards sun (sejant sinister reguardant) and on right emu with similar stance (passant dexter reguardant). Below ground line and set on bouquet of rose, thistles and shamrock, a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE VICTORIA. The shield is quartered by a cross with a star at the centre and at the end of each arm. The cross is not shaded. The quarters contain: top left, a three-masted sailing ship; top right, a golden fleece; bottom left, an anchor; and bottom right, a wheat sheaf. Around above, VICTORIA . 1862 around below in two lines, T. STOKES MAKER / 100 COLLINS ST. EAST MELBOURNE. The T of EAST is below the A of MAKER.

Edge Description

Plain

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