1 Penny - Milner and Thompson Small Series - Christchurch

Milner & Thompson operated as grocers and provision merchants in Christchurch, New Zealand, issuing tradesman's tokens during the 1860s when the colonial copper coinage supply from Britain was chronically inadequate for everyday transactions. The "Small Series" designation distinguishes these pieces from the firm's earlier, heavier issues — a practical response to shifting commercial needs rather than any official directive. Andrews 383 is notably scarcer than its larger counterpart, with surviving examples disproportionately concentrated in institutional collections rather than the open market.