Historical information

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.

Significance

This token is of minor interest as an example of a New South Wales token penny.

Physical description

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

Inscriptions & markings

AUSTRALIA I855
A TOOGOOD MERCHANT PITT AND KING ST SYDNEY