Item NU 11680 Token - 1 Penny, Professor Holloway's, Pills & Ointment, London, England, Great Britain, 1857

Summary

Copper One Penny Token minted by J. Moore of Birmingham. Issued to promote Professor Holloway's pills and ointments in 1857. Holloway tokens are presumed to have been circulated worldwide throughout retailers of Holloway products. Holloway's tokens were produced in large numbers and have proven the most common token finds on Melbourne archaeological sites.

Physical Description

A round copper striking of a Professor Holloway token (34 mm diameter). The token features a profile head of Professor Holloway and a rendition of the classical goddess Hygeia (the ancient Greek goddess of health) seated looking at snake drinking from a cup she holds in her left hand, the snake is curled around a burning altar, an orb rests on altar on her right side. The legend promites Holloway's pills and ointments and gives the date 1857. There is clear double striking of the lettering on the obverse and some tiny dots in the field in front of the Professor's front curl (hence Andrews 662). The dots are probably from minor rusting of the die.

Obverse Description

Head of Professor Holloway facing left with J. MOORE (the maker's name) incuse on neck truncation; around, PROFESSOR HOLLOWAY; below, LONDON. There is clear double striking of the lettering and some tiny dots in the field in front of the Professor's front curl. The dots are probably from minor rusting of the die.

Reverse Description

Hygeia (the ancient Greek goddess of health) seated looking at snake drinking from a cup she holds in her left hand, the snake is curled around a burning altar, an orb rests on altar on her right side, around; HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OINTMENTS, in exergue, 1857. The maker's initials, JM incuse on the right of the exergue line.