Rare mid 19th century early Australian half penny store token for Lewis Abrahams Draper, Liverpool Street Hobart Town, dated 1855.

Here we have a rare mid 19th century early Australian half penny store token for Lewis Abrahams Draper, Liverpool Street Hobart Town, dated 1855. The obverse has the text 'LEWIS ABRAHAMS DRAPER LIVERPOOL STREET HOBART TASMANIA'. The reverse has an image emu and kangaroo with the text 'TASMANIA' above and the date '1855' below. Ungraded but good antique condition, this would be an excellent candidate to submit for grading. 

An example can be found in the Museums of Victoria collection,, and in their description they include these details:

“Abrahams is mentioned in a number of documents held by the Hobart Hebrew Congregation, published in A Few from Afar. He is listed as a contributor to the fund for the construction of the Hobart Synagogue in 1844-1845, and as a 'seatholder' (financial member) of the Hobart Hebrew Congregation for some time during the period 1852-1877 (Ellis, pp. 33, 87)

He issued one variety of penny, and one variety of halfpenny tokens in 1855. While a few examples exist in Australian museum collections, wartime efforts with the call for scrap metal mean that many could have been melted down, as few remain in circulation today.

The overall consensus in scholarship is that these were most likely minted by W J Taylor in London. A desirable early example of Australiana and numismatic history.

Price marked at $130 AUD.

Measurements: 28mm diameter, 2mm thickness. 

Very good antique condition. Ungraded. Some verdigris on coin. Rainbow toning present commensurate with age. Light wear as pictured, overall well-struck and crisp marks.