London 1857 & 1858 Professor Holloway 1/2d. & 1d. tokens.

[Guest Aidan Work]

I have in my collection some 1/2d. & 1d. tokens that were issued in London by a Professor Holloway in 1857 & 1858.These are the same size as the copper coins.Interestingly,these English tokens turn up a lot in both Australia & New Zealand,as the Professor Holloway pieces circulated along with the tokens issued by various tradesmen in New Zealand & the Australian colonies.

Does anyone have any information about Professor Holloway,apart from the fact that he was involved in the pharmaceutical trade?

The obverse of these pieces have 'J. MOORE' inscribed on the truncation.I presume that this is a reference to Joseph Moore,who later struck the famous New Zealand 1879 Pattern 1d.,which were also released into circulation.

Aidan.

[TomGoodheart 452]

Interesting link here Aidan. As far as I can make out, Professor Thomas Holloway was a millionaire philanthropist who made his fortune from patent medicines.

In 1879 after staging a public debate concerning 'How best to spend a quarter of a million or more' he co-founded Royal Holloway College, University of London.

The link being that his co-founder Elizabeth Jesser Reid previously founded Bedford College (University of London), my old alma mater.

See wot an educashun you can get from coins??

[Guest Aidan Work]

Tom,thank you for that information about Thomas Holloway & Royal Holloway College.I am always learning something new.

Aidan.

[TomGoodheart 452]

Tom,thank you for that information about Thomas Holloway & Royal Holloway College.I am always learning something new.

Aidan.

Me too! I would never have made the connection if you hadn't brought the token to my attention!

[Guest Aidan Work]

Tom,we get them turning up over here a lot.They're even listed in one of the New Zealand catalogues as a New Zealand issue.

I have always regarded these as English,as their design is just so distinctive,& totally unrelated to New Zealand.

Aidan.

[scottishmoney 59]

Gees - If Aidan is going to start these threads, I think we should require him to supply imagery of his discussion topics

[TomGoodheart 452]

Absolutely - Aidan I think your Christmas 'wish list' should definitely include a copy of Peck, Chris' Banknotes book and a digital camera or scanner!!!

[Guest Aidan Work]

Tom,I'm thinking about buying some Krause,Pick,& Spink catalogues for a start.

Aidan.

[TomGoodheart 452]

Krause and Spink are fine as general books Aidan but eventually I think we all find we need more specialised stuff. If you're going to get into tokens and Cu/ bronze all the variations just aren't going to be detailed somewhere like Spink which is ok for the size but tries to cram a bit too much in!.

Just an idea, but you could get both Collectors' Coins 2006, Collectors' Banknotes 2006 plus something like England's Striking History from here for around the price of Spink alone! You'd have a jolly good read and loads of info!

For anything else I'm sure others here on the forum would be delighted to recommend books in their special areas of interest.

By the way - I don't know how libraries are in NZ but here most will order in a specialised book if you need to refer to it at minimal cost...

Edited September 21, 2006 by TomGoodheart

[Guest Aidan Work]

Krause and Spink are fine as general books Aidan but eventually I think we all find we need more specialised stuff. If you're going to get into tokens and Cu/ bronze all the variations just aren't going to be detailed somewhere like Spink which is ok for the size but tries to cram a bit too much in!.

Just an idea, but you could get both Collectors' Coins 2006, Collectors' Banknotes 2006 plus something like England's Striking History from here for around the price of Spink alone! You'd have a jolly good read and loads of info!

For anything else I'm sure others here on the forum would be delighted to recommend books in their special areas of interest.

By the way - I don't know how libraries are in NZ but here most will order in a specialised book if you need to refer to it at minimal cost...

Tom,it is better to start off with a general catalogue such as Spink,Krause,& Pick,then it would be a good idea to buy the specialised books.That is what I have been advised to do.As the old saying goes,"Before you can run,you've got to learn how to walk first".

Aidan.

Edited September 21, 2006 by Aidan Work

[TomGoodheart 452]

I was just thinking the Rotographic books are general but a lot cheaper and seem better value than a Spink at NZ$ 75 or so!