Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by W.J. Taylor, London. Issued by James Wallace, Grocer, Wellington, 1859. James Wallace first appears in Wellington's records with an entry in the city's 1853 Almanac. The New Zealand Almanac for 1855 included two advertisements for businesses on Lambton Quay run under the name of Wallace. The first was for 'J.H. Wallace, Auctioneer and General Commission Merchant.' The other 'Messrs. G. & J. Wallace [who] respectfully inform their friends and the public, that there will always be at their stores, Lambton Quay, a well-selected stock of Groceries, of first-rate quality, and which will be disposed of at low rates.Orders from the country carefully fulfilled and executed without delay.'

Physical Description

A round copper token (29 mm diameter). The piece features the name, address and business of the issuer: James Wallace, Grocer, Wellington. The reverse a female figure representing Justice seated on a wool bale with legs to left but her head and upper body to front. A wine barrel lies on the ground behind her and a three-masted sailing ship sails to the right on the horizon to the left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm bare and right draped to near the elbow.

Obverse Description

Legend in four lines; JAMES WALLACE / GROCER / &c. / . WELLINGTON .

Reverse Description

Female figure representing Justice seated on a wool bale with legs to left but her head and upper body to front. A wine barrel lies on the ground behind her and a three-masted sailing ship sails to the right on the horizon to the left. She wears a blindfold and extends a balanced set of scales with her right hand. With her left she holds an inverted cornucopia from which fruits flow onto the ground. She wears an ancient-style of flowing dress bound at the waist, her left arm bare and right draped to near the elbow. iIn exergue, 1859

Edge Description

Plain

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