Using my Minelab GO-FIND 40 at Drayton, I located an Australian business token:"Smithfield Co Geo Pettt 157 Elizabeth St Melbourne" Melbourne in the late 1840s through to the 1860s was affected by a coinage crisis. The crisis mainly related to a shortage of small change in circulation. At this time, British coinage was in use, however not enough coins were being supplied for Melbourne’s booming population and economy. Out of necessity, savvy entrepreneurial businesses of the day began issuing trade tokens. These tokens, which were mainly made of copper, were most often the size of a penny or a half penny. The tokens promoted the businesses that produced them, thus providing free advertising and helped to create awareness of their business names within the community. From my research this coin was made in 1855. Coin located at Toowoomba a fair distance from Melbourne!!!!
Jason – QLD, Australia.
