New Zealand (1860-69) penny token KM-Tn23
This specimen was lot 24553 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2018), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "NEW ZEALAND. Christchurch. T.W. Gourlay & Co. Penny Token, ND (ca. 1860's). NGC AU-53 BN. Rarity 6. Design divides inscription at center 'Importers of' above and 'And Kitcheners' below, 'T.W. Gourlay & Co. Christchurch' around; Reverse: Large tree saw with large handles divides 'Builders & Furnishing' above, 'Ironmongery' below, 'Economy House High Street' around. Signs of circulation consistent with the grade displaying an attractive chocolate patina. From the James Heegeman Collection." The SCWC comments, "Because of a shortage of British money, New Zealand merchant tokens were issued beginning in 1857. There were some 147 varieties issued in 10 cities, although the majority were issued in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin."
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: copper, 34 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Andrews-150; Lampard-320; KM-TN23; Gray-85; Renniks-155.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, John Kraljevich and Cris Chatigny, The January 2018 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2017.
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