Summary
Copper One Penny Token, minted by an unknown British mint. Issued by H.J. Marsh & Brother, Ironmongers, Hobart, circa 1855. On 26 April 1850 Henry James Marsh opened an ironmongery and paint shop at the corner of Murray and William Streets. It is believed that he entered into a partnership with his brother Samuel Charles Marsh in 1853, but Samuel died the following year. In 1867 the firm was known as H.J. Marsh and Co., and in 1912 the firm was absorbed by Harris and Marsh. H.J. Marsh died on 28 April 1897.
Physical Description
A round copper token (34 mm diameter) featuring the name and business of the company which issued the tokens: H.J. Marsh & Brother, Murry and Collins St, Hobart Town, Ironmongers. The reverse depicts three agricultural hand tools above a crossed spade and fork together with the promise to pay a shilling for 12 penny tokens at the store. This token is almost uncirculated with some original mint lustre.
Obverse Description
Legend in five lines, the first and last curved against the rim beads, H.J. MARSH & BROTHER / IRONMONGERS / MURRY AND / COLLINS ST. / HOBART TOWN
Reverse Description
At centre five agricultural hand tools the spade handle of the crossed spade and fork points to right, around, ONE SHILLING FOR 12 PENNY TOKENS / PAYABLE AT . H.J. MARSH & BROTHER .
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Numismatics & Philately, Sustainable Futures, Working Life & Trades
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Mr Alfred Chitty, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
circa 1855 AD
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Issued By
Marsh, H.J & Brother, Hobart, Greater Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Commissioned By
Marsh, H.J & Brother, Hobart, Greater Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 1852-1862
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Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
Obverse: H.J. MARSH & BROTHER IRONMONGERS MURRY AND COLLINS ST. HOBART TOWN Reverse: ONE SHILLING FOR 12 PENNY TOKENS PAYABLE AT H.J. MARSH & BROTHER
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
34 mm (Outside Diameter), 12.152 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
The H. Marsh & Brother token penny issue required three obverse and three reverse dies for its production. The identification of the dies is the key to both the standard references to the tokens and the museum's storage. They can be identified as follows: Obverse Border Height centre letters MURRY AND Letter I A 119 beads 2.0 mm 18.0 mm between HJ B 136 denticles 2.4 mm 22.5 to J and 1.2 mm from M C 134 denticles 2.4 mm 23.0 to J and 0.4 mm from M Reverse 1 At centre 3 tools within double line circle 2 At centre five tools no circle - spade handle on left 3 At centre five tools no circle - spade handle on right The following die combinations have been recorded: A/1, B/2, B/3, C/3 (this token)
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 345
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 158/3
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Keywords
Agricultural Hand Tools, Agricultural Tools, Agriculture, Hand Tools, Ironmongers
