© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
½ Penny -Mears, J.W. Wellington ND
1857 year| Copper | 8.9 g | 28 mm |
| Issuer | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1857 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Trade tokens (1857-1881) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 8.9 g |
| Diameter | 28 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#27271 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Script: Latin
Lettering:
.ONE HALFPENNY TOKEN.
NEW ZEALAND
PAYABLE
AT
J.W.MEARS
COLLAR &
HARNESS
MAKER
Comment
W.J. Taylor
Andrews catalogue number A#362
Rarity: R7 - Rare
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the A Token ½ Penny -Mears, J.W. (Wellington) ND (1857) from New Zealand is that it was created during a time when there was a severe shortage of coins in the country. The government was unable to meet the demand for currency, so private businesses and individuals began issuing their own tokens, like this one, to fill the gap. This coin is a rare example of a privately issued token that was used as a form of currency in New Zealand during the 19th century.
