Commemorative Medals

Medal in Celebration of the Discovery of the Johnstone River, Queensland in 1873.

Produced in 1973 the celebrate the 100 year anniversary of George Elphinstone Dalrymple’s Discovery.

Cast in coppered bronze by K G Luke. 50 mm in diameter, weighing 48 gm, very good condition.

Nice design of the North and South Johnson combining and meandering down to the Pacific Ocean through heavily wooded hilly terrain. A very clear horizon, and in the sky above the explorers full name and commemorative dates the full commemorative details in a border around the edge. On the reverse a Floral and scroll design, presumably to take the engraved name of any recipient – here still blank.

The designer is associated with Sir Kenneth George Lake (1896-1971) who had a very successful business making all things requiring metal design … he was also an important identity in sports administration in Australian particularly the AFL.

George Elphinstone Dalrymple was a legendary explorer, pioneer and pastoralist in northern Queensland. See Robert Logan Jack’s Northmost Australia for a good account of his efforts. He named the Johnstone River in 1873 in honour of Robert Johnstone of the Native Police who had carried out his handy work in the region. Unusually, the river had already been named by Captain Moresby a year or two earlier … his name the Gladys did not stick, thankfully. The Johnstone is a spectacular part of Australia .. the rivers are subject to exceedingly high rainfall and make for the very best of white water rafting. The confluence of the North and South is about five kms west of the town of Innisafail. If you go there … watch out for salty crocodiles.

Very good uncirculated condition, strong relief.

Celebrating Northern Queensland Exploration

$80.00

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The Voyage of HMS Galatea – Visit to Australia – Prince Alfred – 1867

Medal commemorating the Australian visit of the then Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred, to Australia.

Created and cast by Thomas Stokes of Melbourne. There are two slightly different forms, with differing decorative borders.

On the obverse the Duke’s bust in naval dress uniform with Ribbon and Star of the Garter. Legend HRH Duke of Edinburgh. Surrounded by an ornamental border. Reverse with a starboard broadside view of the “Galatea” under steam and sail, the top gallant sails in the act of being taken in. Legend … to Commemorate the Visit of HRH Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh KG to Australia – HMS Galatea 1867.

See the Greenwich National Maritime museum for an example – reference MEC1362.

47mm in diameter, 40 gm white metal. Holed for a loop as usual, a couple of scratches, negligible edge bumps, a pretty good example.

HMS Galatea circumnavigated the World and spent six months in Australia. During his stay the Prince was subject to an assassination attempt by an Irishman – he was shot but the bullet actually glanced off his ribs and he survived.

Historical Maritime Medal – HMS Galatea in Australia 1867.

$125.00

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Winners Medal [Fruits in Syrup] – Agricultural Society of New South Wales – 1878

The Agricultural Society of New South Wales issued these sumptuous medals to class winners. This one was issued for the 1878 show.

9.0 cm in diameter cast in bronze and makes quite a statement. Made by Hardy Brothers of London and Sydney. A few bumps around the edge and a hint of compression, still beautifully defined and imposing.

Features the female form depicting “New South Wales” standing and looking forward holding alighted torch and holding the wreath of a victor. Around her are four children representing the four seasons with harvest wheat, grapes and sheep to tend. Below in three small panels the arts, agriculture and industry are represented.

On the obverse the victor’s wreath circling the engraved winners details under the slogan of the event “Practice with Science”.

“Sydney Jam Preserving Coy for best Collection of Fruits in Syrup – Sydney 1878”

A good and early example of this grand Agricultural Winners Medal.

$125.00

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Mount Morgan – Centenary of First Gold Discovery in 1882 – Rockhampton 1982

A nice example of the interesting medal struck by the Rockhampton Coin Club and made in Brisbane by A.J. Parkes in 1982.

An uncirculated commemorative, 40 mm diameter, 40gms in copper alloy. Strong relief and a super example.

The obverse carries a design by artists Don Taylor of a miner / prospector on his knee observing his gold pan with some intensity, other mining accoutrements in the background. On the reverse we have an image taken from a 1908 photograph of the working mine … an image all too familiar to Voyager.

Still with its original information with its brief history of the Mine.

Mighty Mount Morgan commemorated in medal form, and it deserves it!

$70.00

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Tasmania – Cessation of Transportation Medal – Cast 1853

A very good example of the dual-purpose Cessation of Transportation (to Tasmania) medal and 50-year Jubilee medal. Often found with an offensive hole drilled presumably so it could be worn … ours free of this blight and in pretty good condition.

The Anti-transportation league received good news from England via the steamer Harbinger that had reached Melbourne with the official notification that the transportation of convicts to Van Diemens Land was over. The name change to Tasmania was not officially in effect until 1856.

Nine thousand pewter medals were cast and given to children in the Colony, 4000 in Hobart, 3000 in Launceston and the rest in outlying areas. 100 bronze examples were cast and given to the movers and shakers in the anti-transportation league and one gold example which was given to Queen Victoria.

A substantial medal 58 mm in diameter and 4 mm thick, 65 gm. With a portrait of Queen Victoria on one side and the Australian Coat of Arms with Sun Rising and Emu and Kangaroo Supports.

A unique dual celebration and an important Colonial Medal.

$390.00

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Brisbane City Medal Celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1897

Minted by Stokes and Sons, 31 mm diameter circa 14 gms weight. Reference Carlisle 1897/43

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with enthusiasm around the Commonwealth. This medal was issued by the Municipality of Brisbane to celebrate the event.

On the obverse we have Jugate busts of a young and older Queen Victoria, around Queen Victoria’s 60th Year of Reign *1837 to 1897* … mint name Stokes & Sons in tiny letter on the rim below the date.

The reverse has at its centre within a wide rim the Shield of the Municipality, quartered with top left … horses, sheep and bull; top right … farmer with plough, wheat sheaf and spade; bottom left early steam-ship and lighthouse; bottom right … sailing ship at Brisbane Port loading produce including bale of wool and barrels. Around the rim *Municipality of Brisbane* Incorporated 1859.

Collectable Victoriana Unique to Brisbane.

$40.00

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Medal in Celebration of the Discovery of the Johnstone River, Queensland in 1873.

The Voyage of HMS Galatea – Visit to Australia – Prince Alfred – 1867

Winners Medal [Fruits in Syrup] – Agricultural Society of New South Wales – 1878

Mount Morgan – Centenary of First Gold Discovery in 1882 – Rockhampton 1982

Tasmania – Cessation of Transportation Medal – Cast 1853

Brisbane City Medal Celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1897

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