Summary
Copper One Penny Token, minted by W.J. Taylor, London. Issued by S. Clarkson, Importer & Wholesaler, Christchurch, 1875. Samuel Clarkson was 14 years old when he arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand, with his father. In April 1851 they were joined by his mother and siblings, the family then moved to Christchurch. In 1857 he married a Miss Lodge. Samuel followed his father's trade, working as a carpenter and contractor, he became a person of note after building a spectacular five-roomed house. After several years opened a wholesale builder's merchant's warehouse. He was a wholesaler for some years, and after retiring continued his involvement in the construction industry, acting as agent for a number of construction materials companies.
Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria
Physical Description
A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The piece features the name, address and business of the issuer: S. Clarkson, importer, Cashel Street, Christchurch. The reverse features 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, both arms bare.
Obverse Description
At top above foliage, S. CLARKSON below foliage in five lines: IMPORTER / CASHEL STREET / CHRIST / CHURCH / NEW ZEALAND
Reverse Description
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, both arms bare. Above, NEW ZEALAND in exergue, 1875.
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 20 Jul 1998
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Date Issued
1875 AD
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Issued By
Samuel Clarkson - Importer & Wholesaler, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand, 1875
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Mint
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Previous Collection
Numismatics Collection, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), pre 1976
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Inscriptions
Obverse: S. CLARKSON IMPORTER CASHEL STREET CHRIST CHURCH NEW ZEALAND Reverse: NEW ZEALAND 1875
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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), 11.378 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
W.J. Taylor employed four obverse dies and two reverse dies to manufacture the token order from Clarkson. Identification of the die combination employed in the manufacture of a token is the key to standard references and the museum storage system. The dies can be differentiated as follows: Obverse below name W to Z A BUILDER 2.5 mm B foliage 2.5 mm C foliage 4.6 mm D foliage 3.2 mm Reverse W to Z Barrel boards letter A 1 3 mm not shown cross bar complete Note: the same die used for Gaisford & Edmonds 2 2 mm clearly defined cross bar not complete The following die combinations have been recorded: A/1, B/1, C/2, D/2 (this token)
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 68
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 42/3
[Book] Lampard, William H. 1981. Catalogue of New Zealand Coins Tokens Bank Notes., No. 331c
[Book] Humberstone, Vaughn. 2010. Merchants Making Money.
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Keywords
