Summary

Copper one Penny token, minted by W.J. Taylor of London, circa 1860. Issued by O.H. Hedberg, owner of Oil & Colour Stores, in Hobart, Tasmania.

Hedburg was originally from Sweden but settled in Hobart in 1844 and became involved in the whaling industry. After the decline of the whaling industry in the mid-1850s, he opened a business as a produce merchant and commission agent in Argyle Street, Hobart, it is from this business his tokens were issued.

Hedberg's main issue was quite standard, being a penny and a halfpenny. However it is confused by the existence of a large number of patterns, mules and late strikes. The regular series of issued tokens had no pictorial element. A second group of penny token patterns offered a variety of forms of the seated Australia while the third group, provide a variety of mules in both penny and halfpenny denominations and should be considered late strikes.

Physical Description

A round copper token (34 mm diameter) giving the name, address and business of the issuer: O.H. Hedberg, Swedish House, Argyle St. Hobart Ton (sic), Oil & Colour Store together with the denomination one penny. The token has no pictorial element and is worn on the reverse.

Obverse Description

At centre, O.H. / HEDBERG curved above, OIL & COLOUR STORE curved below, ARGYLE ST. HOBART TON

Reverse Description

At centre [ONE PENNY] curved above O.H. HEDBERG curved below SWEDISH HOUSE HOBART TON the denomination is worn off

Edge Description

Plain

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