Summary

Copper One Penny Token, minted by Thomas Stokes, Melbourne. Issued by Miller Brothers, Coach Builders, Melbourne, 1862. William Miller, a 24 year-old native of Belfast in Northern Ireland, arrived in Australia in November 1857. On board with him was one Nancy Miller, aged 22. William was a coachbuilder, and continued in that trade in Melbourne. After a year or so his brothers, John, Hercules, William and George, joined him in Melbourne. In 1865 only three of the brothers were listed, John had apparently departed. In 1868 Hercules' was the only name associated with the business, In 1869 William returned to the business and was the sole person associated with the listing in 1870. William Miller left Melbourne, and started another coach building business, this time in Bendigo. He ran his business there for twenty years before returning to Melbourne and establishing business in South Melbourne.

Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria by exchange with Melbourne Mint

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: Miller Brothers, Melbourne, coach builders. It features a side view of a buggy on the obverse and Stokes stock emu reverse. This token has been cleaned.

Obverse Description

At centre a buggy with COACH above and BUILDERS below; around, MILLER BROTHERS MELBOURNE

Reverse Description

At centre an emu standing facing left in front of a rising sun with thirteen long light rays. Below on a scroll the motto ADVANCE VICTORIA (without the spread bouquet of rose thistle and shamrock emerging below scroll that occurs on all other stock emu dies). Around above, VICTORIA . 1862, around below in two lines, T. STOKES _ MAKER / 100 COLLINS ST. EAST MELBOURNE. Border of 122 beads, the beak of the emu is cut by the 6th ray.

Edge Description

Plain

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