Description
Professor Holloway token (advertising “Holloway’s Pills and Ointments”):
What is it
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The token was issued by Professor Thomas Holloway, who was well-known in the Victorian-era for his patent medicines (pills & ointments).
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It was made by Joseph Moore of Birmingham (a token-maker/medallist) for promotion/advertisement of Holloway’s medicinal products.
Design & Varieties
Here are details of its appearance, and some of the known varieties:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Denomination(s) | There are both one penny and halfpenny versions. |
| Date | Tokens are dated 1857 and 1858 depending on version. |
| Obverse | Portrait bust of Professor Holloway facing left. Inscription around: “PROFESSOR HOLLOWAY LONDON”. Maker’s name J. MOORE appears on or near the neck truncation. |
| Reverse | A seated figure of Hygeia (classical goddess of health), holding a cup drink with a snake (symbolic of medicine), flames or altar / orbs etc. Legend: “HOLLOWAY’S PILLS AND OINTMENTS”, with the date in exergue. |
| Metal | Typically copper / bronze. |
| Size | ~ 34 mm diameter for the penny token, for halfpenny smaller (around 28 mm). |
Purpose & Usage
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These tokens are advertising / trade tokens, not official coinage. They were issued to promote Professor Holloway’s pills and ointments.
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They were issued in large numbers, and while made in England, they were exported / circulated widely through the British Empire, especially in Australia. Some have been found in archaeological excavations in Melbourne.
Australian tokens.
