Summary
Copper One Penny Token minted by J. Moore of Birmingham. Issued to promote Professor Holloway's pills and ointments in 1858. 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.
Previous Collections: National Gallery of Victoria by exchange from Melbourne Mint
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 promotes Holloway's pills and ointments and gives the date 1858. There is a hint of a small extra curl at the top of the forehead (perhaps a die flaw).
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 a hint of a small extra curl at the top of the forehead (perhaps a die flaw).
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, 1858. The maker's initials, JM incuse on the right of the exergue line.
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collecting Areas
Medicine & Health, Numismatics & Philately, Working Life & Trades
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1858 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Place & Date Used
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Previous Collection
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Previous Collection
Numismatics Collection, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), circa 1919-1976
Acquired by National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) by exchange with the Royal Melbourne Mint. -
Inscriptions
Obverse: PROFESSOR HOLLOWAY LONDON J. MOORE Reverse: HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OINTMENTS 1858
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
12
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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
34 mm (Outside Diameter), 16.278 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Holloway's tokens were struck in such large numbers that the minting technique of hubbing was clearly employed. In this a master tool, having the full appearance of the final token for the obverse and reverse is manufactured in steel. This is then used to prepare working dies. This technique makes the identification of individual dies from variations in rim bead counts or alignment of lettering impossible. Researchers have noted minor variations in the lowest relief areas of the tokens that may be the result of variations of quality of the die production off the hub (Heyde p. 49) or minor tooling. There is a hint a small extra curl at the top of the forehead (perhaps a die flaw) the triple tuff is "thinner" - should follow Heyde and not classify these minor variants as different types.
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No.671
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No.119/3
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Keywords