World Tokens, the Property of a North Country Collector

Cocos-Keeling Islands, J. S. Clunies Ross, plastic ‘ivory’ tokens (4), obv. KEELING COCOS ISLANDS . 1910 . around arms of the colony, rev. 340 / R.5 (for 5 rupees) / J.S. CLUNIES ROSS / 1913, octagonal, 31mm; similar, but 845 R.2 (for 2 repees), round, 30mm; similar, but 718 / R.1 (for 1 rupee), square, 30mm; similar, but 2659 C.25 (for 25 cents), square, 24mm (Prid. 1, 2, 3, 5; Ford 480); card tokens for 1/10 rupee and 1/4 rupee (2) [6]. Fine to very fine £100-£150

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, World Tokens, the Property of a North Country Collector.

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Collection

bt. 1988

The date, 1910 refers to the year John Sidney Clunies Ross succeded to the ownership of the islands. the date 1913 is the year of the introduction of these tokens. Each token has an individual serial number. Clunies Ross engaged in coconut palm products. The tokens could only be used in the clunies Ross stores or office and was carefully controlled. The tokens continued to be used until 1956 when Australian currency was introduced