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FERRY TOKENS FROM AUSTRALIA
with thanks to Yosef Sa'ar
Click on image for a larger version
BELLERIVETURNSTILE ADULT & CHILD FERRY TOKEN - TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
The Tasmanian Transport Commission was responsible for all types of public conveyance, bus, taxi, train and ferries in the Australian State of Tasmania. To avoid a long congested drive to the Hobart Bridge, one of their operations provided ferry service across the Derwent River from Bellerive to Hobart. The passenger only service started in the 1950’s and was discontinued in 1963 due to reduced ridership and funding cuts. From the mid 1960’s, there have been several private ferry companies that have tried to reestablish this route but all were unsuccessful.
The transport commission authorized the Stokes Company of Melbourne to strike adult and child’s fare tokens for the Bellerive ferry operation. Quantities minted are not known, but examples are frequently available to collectors. The adult fare token is 20mm struck in brass cataloged as Aus-110-FA in Smith’s 1990 Transit catalog. The child’s token is 18mm struck in brass cataloged as AUS-110-FB.
HEGERTY'S FERRIES, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
Hegarty's Ferries consimilar turnstile token, brass 20.1mm. A privately owned ferry service on Sydney harbour, Australia.
PORT JACKSON & MANLY STEAM SHIP CO. – BI ANNUAL FARE PASS – MANLY AUSTRALIA
The Port Jackson and Manly Steam Ship co. was formed from the consolidation of several early ferry companies in 1907. The company grew and prospered for many years serving Manly, Sydney and other locations on Sydney harbor. Boats used over the years ranged from paddle wheel steamers to double ended ferries and modern high speed luxury hydrofoils. The company was sold in 1972 to Brambles Industries after a long period of decline due to major bridge construction. In lieu of cash or token fares, regular riders were sold passes good for 3 or 6 months at a discounted rate. Many hundreds of different designs exist and are detailed in Ken Smith’s and Frank Seckold’s catalogs. Mintages are very small compared to regular transit tokens.
This pass is listed as Australia 480-RP in Smith’s catalog. It was issued for use from July to December 1971. The pass is 22mm X 25mm struck in brass and goldine plated. Only 300 pieces were minted with each being individually numbered on the reverse and was a R-6 rarity. Visual appeal has a large bearing on the current valuation of these passes. The more appealing items can easily bring 3-5X multiples of catalog value at auction. Each pass is holed for suspension and attachment to a key ring. They were produced by the Amor Company in Sydney.
W.B. & S.S.S.F.Co.Ltd., Watson's Bay and South Shore Steam Ferry Company Limited, Sydney, Australia
Threepence ferry token. Aluminium, 28x19 millimetres. Catalog WSB 3 in 1993 Frank Seckold. Not listed by the Smiths. I believe the piercing here was done privately. Click for full view.
P.J. & M.S.S.Co.Ltd., Port Jackson & Manly Steam Ship Company Limited
Ladies (L) pass token. Manly, AUS 480 GR. Probably for use in the third quarter of the year (3-shape). Very rare (R9) in the 1997 Frank Seckold supplement. First post.
Sydney Ferries, Limited, Australia
Sydney Ferries pass token. Brass, silver-plated, 23x27 millimetres. Mosmans is a suburban ferry destination from Sydney. Seckold (1997) #435, Smiths (1981) #AUS 720 BK.
I would guess 4 is the fourth quarter of the year.
S.F. Ltd., Sydney Ferries Limited, Australia.
S.F. Ltd silver-plated brass, 23x27 millimetres. First post. Listed as AUS 720 BN by the Smiths (1981). Frank Seckold identified the L for ladies. I believe the 3 was for the third quarter of the year.
1958 SYDNEY HARBOUR FERRY QUARTERLY PASS
Sydney Harbour Ferries Pty. Ltd. operated from 1951 until 1974. SHF operated on 8 routes with various types of ships designed for passenger use. The authority issued quarterly passes to regular users upon payment of a reduced fee. Passes were holed for suspension on a key ring and shown upon boarding. The design and shape of the pass changed each quarter and there are hundreds of different ones available for collectors. This uniface piece is 20mm wide by 22mm long, made from brass and white metal plated. Issuance on this piece was 400 total with this one being # 76 for an R-7 rarity rating.
W.B. & S.S.S.F.Co.Ltd., Watson's Bay and South Shore Steam Ferry Company Limited, Sydney, Australia
Threepence ferry token. Aluminium, 28x19 millimetres. Catalog WSB 3 in 1993 Frank Seckold. Not listed by the Smiths. I believe the piercing here was done privately. Click for full view.
La Rochelle France Tramways – 50 Centimes Fare Token – FRA 480-AJ
Tramways De La Rochelle operated during the years of 1901-1929 providing transport in and around the city of La Rochelle. The system used a rather unique compressed air propulsion system invented by Louis Mekarski. The Mekarski system was promoted as being suitable for use in congested streets and in tunnels, as compressed air produced no smoke or flames, and thus would not disturb horses or fill the carriage with soot and sparks like a steam engine. The system proved unreliable, especially in the winter, with many drives freezing, bursting hoses and the cold causing greatly reduced travel range. The initial trams were replaced with electric operating systems after a few years.
Tramways De La Rochelle issued ten different fare tokens in various sizes, metals and denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes. The 50 centimes example shown below is cataloged as FRA 480-AJ in Smiths transit catalog. It is 25mm across the flats and struck in brass. This example has a “TLR” counterstamp on the reverse for unknown reasons.
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