London halfpenny token

Token, copper, 28mm diameter. London halfpenny, 1794. (DH Mddx 306). Issuer John Fowler, oil merchant, 1794, ½d. Obverse Head of Neptune with trident: ‘Halfpenny’. Reverse Whaling scene - men rowing a boat while one prepares to harpoon a whale: ‘Whale fishery 1794. Payable at I Fowler’s London’. Notes There were many products from whaling but the most important was whale oil, used in lamps until mineral oils appeared.