Summary

Copper Halfpenny 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.

Previous Collections: Hon William M.K. Vale

Physical Description

A round copper token (28 mm diameter) featuring the name address and business of the issuers O.H. Hedberg, Swedish House Argyle St. Hobart Ton (sic) oil & color stores. The denomination is given on the reverse in two lines, half penny.

Obverse Description

Across centre in two lines, O.H. / HEDBERG around, ARGYLE ST. HOBART TON * OIL & COLOR STORES *

Reverse Description

Across centre in two lines, HALF / PENNY around . O.H. HEDBERG . SWEDISH HOUSE HOBART TON

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Numismatics & Philately, Working Life & Trades

  • Acquisition Information

    Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Honourable William M. Vale JP, 15 Mar 1976

  • Date Issued

    circa 1860 AD

  • Issued By

    O H Hedberg, Hobart, Greater Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

  • Mint

    W.J.Taylor, Mint, London, England, Great Britain, 1855-1865

  • Previous Collection

    Honourable William M. Vale JP

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: O.H. HEDBERG ARGYLE ST. HOBART TON OIL & COLOR STORES Reverse: O.H. HEDBERG SWEDISH HOUSE HOBART TON HALF PENNY

  • Denomination

    Halfpenny

  • Series

    Trade Tokens

  • Material

    Copper

  • Axis

    06

  • Classification

    Trade tokens, Australia - tasmania, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    28 mm (Outside Diameter), 8.525 g (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    The production of Hedberg's halfpenny issue required three obverse dies and two reverses. The numbering of the dies continues on from the penny issues, patterns and mules. The tokens saw extensive use and are difficult to differentiate when worn. Obverse top bar O.H. HEDBERG L to C Stop form D 4.1 mm 8.6 mm 15.8 mm 2.6 mm * E 6.0 mm 8.0 mm 16.5 mm 3.6 mm * F 6.0 mm 8.6 mm 15.8 mm 2.6 mm . Reverse HALF PENNY T of TON aligned 11 8.4 11.0 above top of PENNY 12 8.1 10.6 to top of PENNY The following die combinations are recorded D/11, E/11, E/12 (this token), F/11, D/E
    [Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 210
    [Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 101/1

  • Keywords

    Paints, Retail Trade, Retailing