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, Argyle St. Hobart Ton (sic) oil & color stores. This token was struck with two obverse dies.
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, O.H. / HEDBERG around, ARGYLE ST. HOBART TON * OIL & COLOR STORES *
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
circa 1860 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
Obverse: O.H. HEDBERG ARGYLE ST. HOBART TON OIL & COLOR STORES Reverse: O.H. HEDBERG ARGYLE ST. HOBART TON OIL & COLOR STORES
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
06
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
28 mm (Outside Diameter), 7.042 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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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, F/11, D/E (this token)
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 214
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 101/7
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Keywords