For around a decade or so in the Gold Rush period in Australia there was a shortage of official government currency. It was acceptable during this time to use token coins minted by local businesses to be used within their store, much like the loyalty and rewards cards that businesses give their customers in modern times. The tokens were also a good way to advertise their wares and details. The first token was introduced in Melbourne in 1848 and were used until 1868, when they became illegal in New South Wales. They were minted in Australia and overseas. This is a Warrnambool Bateman penny token. It is an example of an Australian token – a coin that had the value of a penny and was produced by businessmen in the 1850s to be used only in the business of the person named on the coin. There were two firms in Warrnambool that produced tokens in the 1850s – William Jamieson, a general storekeeper and William Bateman. The latter had a general store in Banyan Street in the early 1850's and became one of the largest merchant firms in the Warrnambool district. In November 1856 the store belonging to William Bateman Jnr & Co. was destroyed by fire and caused a great number of insolvencies in the district as many businessmen and farmers were financed by Bateman.This token is a significant example of the business practices of merchants in the early days of the colony and is connected to a well-known member of Warrnambool's early town history. It is comparatively rare because many Bateman tokens were destroyed in the 1856 fire.A round metal coin token associated with the Warrnambool business owned by William Bateman in the 1850's. It has a weathered figure on one side and writing (also quite weathered) on the other side.Around edge - IMPORTERS AND GENERAL MERCHANTS 185? Inside circle - WILLIAM BATEMAN JUNR & CO WARRNAMBOOL Across center - VICTORIAflagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, penny token, william bateman, william bateman jnr &co, bateman general store, bateman token, bateman penny token, token coin, token

This is a token to the value of a penny. It was issued by Alfred Toogood who had an hotel in Sydney called The Rainbow Tavern. Many shop keepers and merchants in Australia in the 1850s issued tokens because of the shortage of British pennies. Tokens could only be used in the business premises of the person whose name was on the token. Warrnambool in the 1850s had two businesses issuing tokens, one was issued by William Bateman who had a general store in Banyan Street. The other was William Jamieson who had a hardware store in Liebig Street. Nineteenth century tokens today are highly collectable items.This token is of minor interest as an example of a New South Wales token penny.Circular copper coloured token. The obverse features an image of a female representative of the scales of justice. he reverse features the details of the person issuing the token AUSTRALIA I855 A TOOGOOD MERCHANT PITT AND KING ST SYDNEY token pennies, warrnambool

This coin is a Warrnambool Bateman penny. It is an example of an Australian token – a coin that had the value of a penny and was produced by businessmen in the 1850s to be used only in the business of the person named on the coin. There were two firms in Warrnambool that produced tokens in the 1850s – William Jamieson, a general storekeeper and William Bateman. The latter had a general store in Banyan Street and became in the early 1850s one of the largest merchant firms in the Warrnambool district. But the firm’s liabilities were financed by overdrafts and insolvency resulted. A disastrous and suspicious fire in 1856 destroyed the Bateman store and caused a great number of insolvencies in the district as so many businessmen and farmers were financed by Bateman who eventually left the district. This token is of supreme importance. It is significant for three reasons: 1. It is an example of an 1850s Australian token, demonstrating an early business practice in our history. 2. It is an example of a Warrnambool token produced by an important Warrnambool business (only two firms in Warrnambool produced tokens) 3. It is a Bateman token and these are comparatively rare because many Bateman tokens were destroyed in the 1856 fire. This is an 1855 metal token with, on one side, an image of a woman holding scales in one hand and a cornucopia in the other (Dea Pecunia?). The obverse side has the name of William Bateman Junior of Warrnambool. It is a business token which could be used only in the Bateman store in Warrnambool in place of a penny.One side: Woman image and the word ‘Australia’ Obverse side: ‘William Bateman Junr. & Co., Importers and General Merchants, Warnambool (sic), Victoria, 1855’ william bateman junior, warrnambool tokens, bateman token, coin tokens