Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by an unknown British mint. Issued by David Jones, Criterion Drapery, Ballarat, 1862. David Jones arrived in Victoria about 1850, and his store was established 1853. His business was originally a partnership, located in Main Street, Ballarat as Hemmingway and Jones, drapers, mercers etc. The partnership was dissolved in the early 1860s. After the partnership was concluded, Jones built a store that he called Criterion House. He issued tokens bearing that address in 1862 and conducted his business from those premises until he retired in 1871. A former member of staff at Criterion House told Gardner that it was 'unquestionably the best drapery business in Australia. He imported the very best goods, employed the best men he could get, did a very fine business, and made very fine profits, which can be imagined when we say that he sold out for £103,000,' (Gardner, 1910). Hope records that he sold out to Christie & Co. of Ballarat (Hope, 2005). Jones is said to have been a bachelor and lived above his shop, entertaining celebrities from the stage who visited the city including 'Madame Caradini, Armes Beaumont, Montgomery and others.' After retiring he married a widow and returned to England. He travelled the world, returning to Australia on one or two occasions. He died in about 1880.

Previous Collections: Henry S. Smith

Physical Description

A round bronze token (32 mm diameter). The token features the name, address and business of the issuer: David Jones, Criterion Drapery Establishment Sturt St. Ballarat (in the form Ballaarat) wholesale and retail importer. The reverse features a view of the building with hints of stock displayed in the windows.

Obverse Description

At centre, DAVID JONES / IMPORTER / BALLAARAT / ESTAB: 1853 ; around, CRITERION DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT * WHOLESALE & RETAIL *

Reverse Description

At centre view of shop with suggestion of display in main windows; above, STURT ST.; below, BALLAARAT / 1862; around, CRITERION HOUSE; DAVID JONES PROPRIETOR

Edge Description

plain

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