New Zealand, British Colonial. Auckland Licensed Victuallers Association CU Penny Token. Birmingham(?), 1871. • VICTORIA • BORN MAY 24 1819, laureate head to left within pelleted circle / • AUCKLAND LICENSED VICTUALLERS ASSOCIATION, ESTABLISHED IN NEW ZEALAND APRIL 4 1871 in five lines within pelleted circle. R. 35-37; Robinson, H.A., 'Auckland Tradesmen's Tokens' in New Zealand Numismatic Journal, May 1974, pp.140-141; Australasian Tokens and Coins, p.15, 65-66. 9.50g, 31mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine; attractive patina. Scarce.
From the collection of the late Eduard Winkler.
The Auckland Licensed Victuallers Association issued penny tokens thought to have been struck by Birmingham-based medallist and mint-owner Joseph Moore that celebrated the formation of their organisation in 1871. According to a report quoted by numismatist H.A. Robinson, up to fifty per cent of copper coins in circulation in New Zealand at the time were trade tokens, a response to a shortage of official currency in the country.