Description
Ceylon, The Hultsdorf Mills Co. (Ceylon) Ltd, Plantation Token in Black Vulcanite, struck at England and issued in Ceylon from 1872-1891 at a value of 25 cents as payment for hundred-weight of coffee. Obverse: ‘GWL’ Monogram at centre within beaded border. Reverse: A Ceylonese catamaran at the centre with spreaders under sail in water, “HULTSDORF MILLS / COLUMBO CEYLON”. Pridmore-64. A few spots, else virtually as issued. Extremely Fine.
Struck in England and introduced at the Hultsdorf Mills in 1872 until discontinued in 1891, this token represented the price paid for picking a hundred-weight of coffee at the greatly reduced rate of 25 cents a hundred-weight. The Hultsdorf Mills Co. (Ceylon) Ltd. was founded in London to develop the Belmont Oil Mill, which was founded in 1835 on the banks of the Canal at Hultsdorf, a name derived from the late General Hulft (a governor of Ceylon during Dutch control). In 1840 the Mill underwent advancements after the original founder had passed away, adding crushing machinery for coconut oil, a saw mill, and in 1855 a soup making facility. Unfortunately these improvements were short-lived and the mill went into liquidation in 1865; the property was acquired by G. B. Leechman who, with his brother William Carey Leechman as partner, founded the firm of G. & W. Leechman, the initial letters of this firm G. & W. L. are monogramed on the Token.