Description
The token was issued in 1864 by Benjamin Gittos, a leather merchant in Auckland, New Zealand.
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Benjamin Gittos (1808-1884) was an early settler: arrived Auckland ~1840, engaged in farming in Hokianga, then set up leather business. In 1863 he opened a tannery at Avondale (on the Wai‐u/hua river) and also had premises in Wyndham Street, Auckland.
Description of the token
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 1 Penny token. |
| Metal / Composition | Copper. |
| Diameter | ~ 34 mm. |
| Weight | About 14.3-15 g (some variation by specimen). |
| Edge | Plain. |
| Obverse (“front”) Legend | B. GITTOS / LEATHER / MERCHANT / IMPORTER OF / BOOTS & SHOES / &c. &c. |
| Reverse Legend | WHOLESALE & RETAIL / LEATHER & / GRINDERY / STORES / WYNDHAM STREET / AUCKLAND / N.Z. / 1864 |
Historical / Contextual Notes
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The token was minted in Melbourne by Thomas Stokes (Melbourne mint).
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It is a trade / merchant token: during this period there was often shortage of small denomination metallic currency, particularly in colonies, so merchants sometimes issued tokens which acted like small change and also advertised their business.
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The business was not just retail: Gittos had a tannery, and was producing and supplying leather, boots & shoes, grindery (tools, hardware for leather work) etc. So the token displays both “importer of boots & shoes” and “Wholesale & Retail … Store
