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Australia, Tasmania, New Town: Reuben Josephs
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Andrews 310, Renniks 310, KM Tn140
½ penny token , copper; dated 1855 and minted by Heaton and Sons of Birmingham, England per Renniks or W.J. Taylor of London, England per Museums Victoria Collection website (which states that the corresponding penny token was minted by Heaton and Sons). 28.0 mm., 0°
Obv.: Tollgate with associated building, NEW TOWN TOLLGATE / * R. JOSEPHS *,
Rev.: Blindfolded personification of Justice seated holding scale in right hand and inverted overflowing cornucopia in left hand, wine barrel behind her, three-masted sailing ship on the horizon to the left, VAN DIEMAN’S LAND above and 1855 below
Reuben Josephs (1790-1862) was a tailor who sold old clothes from a warehouse in London until 1827, when he was convicted of receiving stolen goods, sentenced to fourteen years transportation and sent to Van Diemen’s Land (later renamed Tasmania). His wife emigrated to Tasmania and purchased two blocks of land at New Norfolk. Reuben was assigned to be her servant, and they started a business. He was granted a ticket of leave in 1833, a conditional pardon in 1836, and his certificate of freedom in 1841. After his wife died in 1844, he moved to Liverpool Street in Hobart. In 1852 he won the tender to operate the New Town toll gate for three years. He married Rachel Levien in Hobart in 1856.
In documents of the Hobart Hebrew Congregation, Reuben Josephs was listed as a contributor to the fund for the construction of the Hobart Synagogue, and as a “seatholder” (financial member) of the Congregation starting in 1852. He was buried in the Jewish section of the Old Hobart Cemetery.
Renniks rarity R1 (most frequently seen)
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