Sydney (1865) 1/2 penny token KM-Tn152
This specimen was lot 71058 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2019), where it sold for $216. The catalog description[1] noted, "AUSTRALIA. Sydney, New South Wales. J. MacGregor. 1/2 Penny Token, 1855. NGC MS-62 Brown. A rather SCARCE token issue, this near choice example features a deep reddish-brown hue and pleasing strike." In the late nineteenth century, as Australia was settled by emancipated convicts and free immigrants, normal commerce sprang up yet the Sydney mint was occupied solely with minting gold from the mines. Various merchants issued private tokens, including this one from J. McGregor. It is accompanied by a one penny token and is fairly available.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: bronze, 25 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-Tn152.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2019 Collector's Choice Sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2019.
Link to:
- Sydney 1860 3 pence token KM-Tn118, Hogarth & Erichsen
- Sydney (1865) penny token KM-Tn153, J. MacGregor
- Coins and currency dated 1855