© Robert Cronjé (CC BY-NC-SA)
© Robert Cronjé (CC BY-NC-SA)
1 Penny - R. Josephs New Town, Van Diemen's Land
1855 year| Copper | 14.42 g | 34 mm |
| Issuer | Tasmania (Australian States) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Victoria (1837-1901) |
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1855 |
| Value | 1 Penny (1⁄240) |
| Currency | Pound sterling (1788-1900) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 14.42 g |
| Diameter | 34 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#181924 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 81% |
Reverse
Lettering at top. Seated Justice facing left holding scale in right hand. Ship in background to the left. Date at bottom.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND
1855
Edge
Plain
Comment
Copper one Penny mule token, minted by W.J. Taylor of London. It was issued by R. Josephs of Newtown, Tasmania, circa 1855. Transported to Australia in 1827 Josephs, gained his certificate of freedom in 1841. In 1852 he won the tender to operate the New Town toll gate for three years. It was during this time that he issued his trade tokens, known as 'Toll Gate' tokens, which would have enabled him to profit from giving change to people passing through his gate.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token 1 Penny - R. Josephs (New Town, Van Diemen's Land) 1855 from Tasmania (Australian States) made of Copper weighing 14.42 g is that it was issued during a time when there was a severe shortage of official currency in Tasmania, and many businesses and individuals resorted to issuing their own private tokens as a means of exchange. This coin is a rare example of a privately issued token that was used as a substitute for official currency during this time.
