1 Penny - R. Parker - Ironmonger Late Series 34 mm, Colon after R - Geelong, Victoria

R. Parker's penny token is one of several tradesman's pieces issued in Geelong during the mid-1850s, when the Victorian goldrush had overwhelmed the colonial banking system's ability to supply small change. Parker operated as an ironmonger in a town that was booming on the back of goldfield supply trade — hardware and ironmongery being among the most lucrative retail sectors of the period. The colon-after-R variety distinguishes this die from related issues and accounts for the separate catalog listing across Andrews, Renniks, and Gray.