Historical information

This Bateman & Co penny token was given to Les O'Callaghan by his workmate and neighbour Roger Walsh. This is the story which accompanied the gift.
'This penny has been in my possession since 1946. Was obtained at Koroit Races that year -Royal Gem winner of the Caulfield Cup. This penny was wrapped in silver paper and was accepted by the bookmaker Mr Harold James whom I clerked for as a wager. I in turn payed [sic] my wages for working for this bookmaker and received same. Incidently [sic] the custom of this bookmaker in those days was the clerk usually was paid with silver, which was left in the bag as he did not wish to carry the silver home as he lived in Melbourne.

Physical description

Circular coin -obverse has name of company (William Bateman) in an inner circle with the word Victoria across the centre; within outer circle the type of trade engaged in and the year minted. The reverse has a female figure in flowing gown holding scales in the right hand and cornucopia in the left; the value of the coin is stamped around the top edge.

Inscriptions & markings

WILLIAM BATEMAN WARRNAMBOOL/IMPORTERS AND GENERAL MERCHANTS 1855/VICTORIA (obverse)
ONE PENNY (reverse)