1 Penny - Hanks and Lloyd Sydney, New South Wales

Historical Context: The 1855 Hanks and Lloyd One Penny token emerges from a pivotal period in Australian history: the New South Wales gold rush era. Official British coinage was chronically insufficient for the burgeoning economy. This scarcity compelled numerous private merchants, including prominent Sydney grocers Hanks and Lloyd, to issue their own copper tokens. These pieces served as essential small change, facilitating daily transactions and underscoring the ingenuity required to sustain commerce.

Artistry: While the specific engraver is unrecorded, this token's design reflects the utilitarian yet informative style common to 19th-century Australian trade tokens. The obverse features the issuer's name, "HANKS & LLOYD," their business description "TEA MERCHANTS, GROCERS, WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS," and location "SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES," alongside the denomination "ONE PENNY." The reverse typically presents a simpler, often decorative, motif or the value, designed for clarity and recognition, characteristic of commercial token production.

Technical/Grading: Struck in copper, this token weighs 15.8 grams and measures 34 millimeters, adhering to common penny token specifications. Key high-points for assessing wear include the obverse legend lettering, particularly the merchant's name and address, and any central device or rim details. Due to private token production, strike quality varies, with instances of minor weakness, planchet imperfections, or die deterioration not uncommon. Copper composition also renders these tokens susceptible to environmental damage, patination, and corrosion, impacting preservation and grade.