Coins and Australia - 1834 - Convict love tokens

Convict Love Token - 1834 - Edward Kershaw

Edward Kershaw, 30, a bootmaker from Hampshire, was tried and convicted at Middlesex Session of Peace on 25 August 1834 for robbing lodgings. He was sentenced to seven years' transportation. He sailed for New South Wales on the Royal Sovereign on 25 July 1835, arriving 12 December 1835. Kershaw's record describes him as being 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 centimetres) with dark yellow complexion, dark brown hair mixed with grey and dark chestnut eyes. The top of his head was bald. Granted a ticket of leave in April 1840, he was allowed to stay in the district of Illawarra. A companion piece to this token is in the collection of the British Museum. The style of token is very similar to that of John Hobbs.

Transcription

Back

Token engraved with an ornamental flourish at the top and a leaf design at the base. Cursive text reads:

No pen can write
No tongue can tell
The aching heart
That bids farewell.

Front

Token engraved with an elaborate swirling and cross-hatched design. Around the border is engraved:

Edwd Kershaw . Augt 26th 1834 . Seven Yrs *

Diameter

28.0 mm

Copyright: National Museum of Australia

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