Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by J.C. Thornthwaite, Surry Hills, New South Wales. Issued by 'Four Line', Tea Stores, New South Wales, 1852.

Sam Peek and his wife arrived in Sydney in November 1835. Sam joined with another free settler, John Webb, in a Grocery and Tobacco business. By 1838 Sam, with John Webb, had joined up with Sam's brother Richard and Edward Campbell in the firm of Peek and Campbell, a large and important grocery business. In 1839 the business was so prosperous that Sam Peek and John Webb were able to sell their share of it for £20,000 to the other partners. In 1845 Sam Peek joined with John Webb to form S. Peek & Co. In 1852 the Tea Stores tokens made their appearance, being the first recorded as manufactured locally. J. Thornthwaite, the die sinker, had these produced initially from blanks sawn laboriously from copper rods obtained through Sam's interest in the 'Burra Burra' copper mine in South Australia. A crude drop hammer arrangement, replaced by a crude press, were used to strike the blanks with indifferent results. By 1855 S. Peek and Co. had ceased trading when Sam Peek transferred his interest entirely to many other projects, which included the building of a hotel in the Gosford area.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token design featuring the business and foundation date of the issuer: Tea Stores Steam Coffee Mill. It features a view of teas store and shop; on building at left background in four lines; TEA / STORE / STEAM / COFFEE MILL in exergue, ESTABLISHED 1835 / SYDNEY. On the reverse is Britannia seated facing right wearing Corinthial helmet and holding a trident in her left hand, shield with Union Jack resting behind. Above, BRITANNIA; in exergue, 1852 and, in small letters below shield, JCT.

Obverse Description

View of teas store and shop; on building at left background in four lines; TEA / STORES / STEAM / COFFEE MILL in exergue, ESTABLISHED 1835 / SYDNEY

Reverse Description

Britannia seated facing right wearing Corinthian helmet and holding a trident in her left hand, shield with Union Jack resting behind. Above, BRITANNIA; in exergue, 1852 and, in small letters below shield, JCT

Edge Description

Plain

More Information