Description
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Issued by Smith, Peate & Co., Grocers, Tea Dealers & Wine Merchants, located at 258 & 260 George Street, Sydney.
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The business was established in 1836.
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In 1855 Thomas Peate and Alfred Harcourt joined Edward A. Smith to form “Smith, Peate & Co.” The business later changed name (in 1880 to Peate & Harcourt) and eventually closed in 1897.
Token Types & Design
They issued both penny (1 d) and half-penny (½ d) tokens, around 1856-1857.
Physical Description
Feature Penny Half-penny Material Copper Copper Diameter ~ 34 mm Obverse Inscription “SMITH, PEATE & Co. / GROCERS / TEA DEALERS / & / WINE MERCHANTS / 258 & 260 / GEORGE ST. / SYDNEY” Reverse Design & Inscription Shows a figure of Justice (blindfolded), holding scales, an inverted cornucopia with fruits, a sailing ship on the horizon; “ESTABLISHED 1836” under that. Edge Plain
Historical / Contextual Notes
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The tokens were minted by Heaton & Sons, Birmingham, England.
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They are part of the broader phenomenon in colonial Australia of merchant/trade tokens being issued to alleviate small change shortages.
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The business had prestige (“claimed the patronage of His Excellency, the Governor in Chief”).
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