Australian Ferry Tokens

[Kushi]

Searching for information about a crudely stamped token VICTORIA FERRY / V H. The reverse is blank. How and where was it used? Found in Australia.

[malj1]

The VH could relate to Victoria Harbour in Hongkong. Hongkong was popular destination with Aussie tourists a while back and a stopover on international flights. Alternatively Victoria BC.

I doubt its Australian - I have not heard of a Victoria harbour here.

A picture of the token would be useful, also metal and size - the style is often a clue to its origin and age.

[Kushi]

Thanks. That's a nice tip. Unfortunately I don't have the composition, size or photo of the token. Will try to pursue the Hongkong idea.

[Figleaf]

The ferries in Hong Kong are known as "star ferry". AFAIK they used coins only, notably the 5 cents, which was long the price of a second class ride between Victoria and Tsim Sha Tsui, the shortest and most important ferry line.

Here's a possibility.

Peter

[Bimat]

Public transport tokens aren't dead yet.

They are in use at Delhi and Kolkata Metro in India. I have used Delhi Metro tokens when I was there, but forgot to buy couple of those for personal collection.

Aditya

[malj1]

Hegarty's Ferries from Sydney's circular quay to Kiribilli S&S 720XP brass same both sides.

[malj1]

Sydney Harbour Ferries Pty Ltd. post WW2 for use in ferry turnstiles.

1 in centre, brass 22mm. S&S 720 XI

2 in centre, silvered brass 25mm S&S 720 XK

[malj1]

Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Co, Ltd. Manly Ferry For use in the turnstiles

 "M" punched out in centre, brass 21mm S&S 480 XC

Adult token white-metal, 30mm. S&S 480 XD This is the only type I have used and bought a spare - the ticket office man thought I was nuts paying double fare.

[malj1]

Stockton Ferries Pty Ltd. same both sides. Used across the mouth of the Hunter river between Stockton and Newcastle in 1920's

S&S 700 FA silvered brass, 23mm

[malj1]

The wikipedia link above has a link to Victoria Harbour this lists several other Hongkong ferries current and in the past.

Having said that, by following links there you come to other Victoria Harbours in Canada...

    Victoria Harbour (British Columbia), a harbour, seaport, and seaplane airport
    Victoria Harbour, Nova Scotia, a community
    Tay, Ontario, a township which encompasses the hamlet of Victoria Harbour

[Figleaf]

Wonderful collection, Malcolm. Why would you want to silver a ferry token? If you want a different colour, wouldn't it be better to plate it in a harder, cheaper white metal, e.g. nickel?

Peter

[malj1]

Wonderful collection, Malcolm. Why would you want to silver a ferry token? If you want a different colour, wouldn't it be better to plate it in a harder, cheaper white metal, e.g. nickel?

Peter

That is a quite usual catalogue description for a plated brass coin and no silver involved - usually nickel.

[FosseWay]

Public transport tokens aren't dead yet.

They're still in use in Minsk and Kiev (or were in 2007) and I suspect elsewhere in the former USSR.

[andyg]

the ticket office man thought I was nuts paying double fare.

That was, um, very Manly of you

[humpybong]

I also collect transport tokens including ferry tokens from Sydney.

Also have a couple of hundred Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Co, Ltd. (Manly Ferry) passes (badges) that were valid on the ferry for 3 months.  Every 3 months a new pass would be issued and different passes were issued for male and female travellers.

These would be used by daily commuters going to and from work.