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1 Penny - Fenwick Brothers Melbourne, Victoria
| Issuer | Fenwick Brothers |
|---|---|
| Year | 1857 |
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| Composition | Brass (also in copper) |
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| Obverse description | Draped bust of Queen Victoria facing left, her hair dressed in the early Victorian style with a central parting and gathered into a bun at the nape, occupying the central field. The surrounding legend reads '225 KING STREET MELBOURNE' above and 'VICTORIA' below, all within a beaded border. The portrait is rendered in low relief in the manner typical of Australian colonial tradesman's tokens of the mid-nineteenth century. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Central device depicting the Flagstaff Hill signal station in Melbourne, rendered with masts, rigging, stays, and associated structures in fine engraved detail, referencing the landmark near Fenwick Brothers' premises. The circular legend 'FENWICK BROTHERS IMPORTERS & CLOTHIERS' arcs around the upper field, while 'FLAG STAFF' and '225 KING ST.' appear in two lines at the base, all within a beaded border. |
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| Additional information |
Fenwick Brothers operated as wholesale and retail ironmongers in Melbourne during the gold rush decade, when acute small-change shortages forced colonial merchants to issue private token coinage. The British government's reluctance to supply adequate regal copper to the Australian colonies left a vacuum that dozens of tradesmen filled with self-issued pieces, many struck in Birmingham by specialist diesinkers such as Thomas Stokes and John Askew. The brass striking of this type is considerably scarcer than the copper, and Andrews' catalog reflects that distinction in the suffixed variety references.