Marsh & Sons halfpenny token c.1870, South Africa

A very good condition example of this token - Marsh & Sons were an import firm located in Burg St, Cape Town.

Their attractive bronze token measures 27mm diameter approx.

The obverse bears the legend MARSH & SONS IMPORTERS CAPE TOWN while the reverse bears a wonderful picture of a three-masted paddle-steamer with the legend HALFPENNY TOKEN TO FACILITATE TRADE.

Theron describes this token as 'scarce' and adds that 'an Australian token with an almost identical reverse, the same paddle steamer device but issued for H.J. Marsh & Brother, Ironmongers, Hobart Town, is known. (H. J. Marsh & Brother - Murray and Collins St., Hobart Town (Ironmongers))

Presumably the Marshes were related, and obtained their tokens from the same manufacturer. Despite a strong assumption that branches of the same family are involved, no family history has been found, the only connection is the reverse die and the surnames.

The Cape Town copper halfpennies are thought to have been issued in the 1870's.

Hern No: 348a / Theron No: C7