Love Token - J.K. Died, England, Great Britain, 1847

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This item is on display at Melbourne Museum

Summary:: Love Token inscribed J.K. Died, July 19 1847.

Love tokens were often commissioned by convicts before they were transported to Australia, as a memento for their loved ones. Itinerant engravers visited the prisons and hulks, finding a ready market for these tokens, which were made to order from smoothed-down coins.

Love tokens are evidence of the British Government’s attitude to law and order and treatment of indentured labourers in a strict Government ‘Assignment System’ which provided cheap labour for the expanding British empire during the 1700s and 1800s.

About one third of migrants who came to Australia between 1830 and 1850 paid their own way. Convicts and settlers who came to Australia found that in comparison to Europe, conditions were very good and with hard work and determination they could prosper.
Description:: A British halfpenny struck in about 1805 worn and smoothed, the obverse has been inscribed, J K / DIED and the reverse has been inscribed, JULY 19 / 1847. Holed for wearing - wear around the hole suggests it was worn for some time.
Acquisition Information:: Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Discipline:	Numismatics
Dimensions:	29 mm (Diameter)

Tagged with:	families, immigration, immigrant voyages, settlement, convicts, travel, love tokens
Themes this item is part of:	Numismatics & Philately Collection
On Display at:	Melbourne Museum
Primary Classification:	TOKENS
Secondary Classification:	Great Britain - England
Tertiary Classification:	love tokens
DateEra:	1847 AD
Obverse Description:	Inscribed, J K / DIED and the reverse has been inscribed, JULY 19 / 1847
Reverse Description:	Inscribed, JULY 19 / 1847
Edge Description:	Plain
Inscriptions:	J K DIED JULY 19 1847
Shape:	round/holed
Material:	Copper
Issued By:	England, Great Britain, circa 1805
Place & Date Inscribed:	England, Great Britain, 1847
Date of Event:	19 July 1847