Search the collections
Similar items over time
Token - 1 Penny, M. Somerville, Wholesale Family Grocer, Auckland, New Zealand, 1857
Reg. No: NU 4334
Previous Page
Next Page
- Summary:
- Copper One Penny Token, minted by an unknown British Mint. Issued by M. Somerville, Wholesale Family Grocer, Auckland, New Zealand, 1857. Little is known about Mark Sommerville, although it is certain that his business endured for many years. The corner block where the store was located was ‘the datum point for most information given to strangers as to suburban distances; “so many miles from Somerville's corner” was the common form of direction.’ (Robinson, 1974, p.142). After many years the store moved to another site in Auckland, and soon after Sommerville sold it to a Mr Walter Graham. Somerville died in 1902.
Previous Collections: George McArthur - Description:
- A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token features the name, address and business of the issuer: M. Somerville, City Mart, Auckland, whilseale family grocer. The reverse features a bouquet of rose, thistle and shamrock with the legend NEW ZEALAND 1857.
- Acquisition Information:
- Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), George McArthur, 1976
| Discipline: | Numismatics |
| Dimensions: | 34 mm (Diameter) |
| Weight: | 14.492 g (Weight) |
More information
| Tagged with: | grocers, wholesale trade |
| Themes this item is part of: | Mark Somerville, Wholesale Grocer, Auckland, New Zealand (circa 1830-1902), George McArthur, Collector & Baker (1842-1903), Numismatics & Philately Collection, Working Life & Trades Collection, McArthur Bequest |
| Primary Classification: | TRADE TOKENS |
| Secondary Classification: | New Zealand |
| Tertiary Classification: | working strikes |
| Series: | Trade Tokens |
| DateEra: | 1857 AD |
| Denomination: | 1 Penny |
| Obverse Description: | Legend in five lines: M. SOMERVILLE / WHOLESALE / FAMILY GROCER / CITY MART / AUCKLAND |
| Reverse Description: | At centre a bouquet of rose, thistle and shamrock with the legend NEW ZEALAND 1857. |
| Edge Description: | Plain |
| Inscriptions: | Obverse: M. SOMERVILLE WHOLESALE FAMILY GROCER CITY MART AUCKLAND Reverse: NEW ZEALAND 1857 |
| Shape: | round |
| Material: | Copper |
| Issued By: | M Somerville - Wholesale Family Grocer, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, 1857 |
| Previous Collection: | George McArthur |
| References: |
The Somerville issue required two obverse and three reverse dies for its production. The identification of the dies employed in the production of a particular token are the basis of the standard references and the museum storage system. The dies can be identified as follows: Obverse WHOLESALE A 19.5 mm B 18.3 mm Reverse top leaf points wreath base points top point of thistle 1 to back of E between 85 left side of W 2 between ZE over 5 left side of W 3 between ZE over 57 right side of W The following die combinations have been recorded: A/1 (this token), B/1, B/2 , B/3 |
| Bibliography: |
|
Themes
This item is part of the following themes:
Add your question or comment