Medals

Matthew Flinders Medal – Australian Academy of Science

The Australian Academy of Science was formed in 1954 along the lines of the Royal Society, London.

The twenty four founding members included Sir Douglas Mawson, the inaugural President was Sir Mark Oliphant. It is based out of the spectacular Shire Dome, Canberra.

The Matthew Flinders Medal is presented every other year in recognition of scientific research of the highest standard in the physical sciences. To date there have been 31 recipients, the first being J.L. Powsey.

A very interesting medal, 70 mm in diameter weighing 124 gm, copper bronze finish. High relief bust of Flinders with “Australian Academy of Science” and “Matthew Flinders” inside rim. On the reverse a complex high relief image of observers using a telescope and a microscope with a background of planets (including Saturn) and other natural objects with suitable Latin expressions scattered. A little wear to the finish but a very scarce item.

Unusual Flinders Item – Distinguished Awarding Body

$425.00

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George Bass – Discovery of the Bass Strait – Commemorative Medal – 1968

George Bass, Surgeon and Explorer carried out two voyages to confirm the Bass Strait and the separation of Tasmania (then Van Diemen’s Land) from mainland Australia – known affectionately in Tasmania as “The Other Island”.

First, in 1797 he set off in an open whaleboat with a crew of six. They sailed to Cape Howe at the farthest point of South-east Australia and, from there sailed west along the Gippsland coast to Western Point, at the entrance to Port Phillip. Observations of the rapid tide and long south-western swell supported his view that a large Strait lay in front of him.

In 1798 he set out again, with Matthew Flinders in the sloop Norfolk and circumnavigated Van Diemen’s Land. They visited the Derwent River which had previously been named by Captain John Hayes. On return to Sydney, Flinders promoted the naming of the Strait after Bass … the then Governor, John Hunter agreed.

Bass’s later life was adventurous and possibly … likely … tragic, making the date of his death noted on the medal questionable.

The medal was struck in 1968. It was produced by K.G. Luke & Sons, Melbourne for the Numismatic Association of Victoria. 160 examples were produced in this bronze form and a similar number in silver. 50mm in diameter, 48gms weight, with a high relief bust of Bass facing right, carrying his spyglass. On the reverse a delightful image of the whaleboat, the sloop Norfolk and the chart and route of the vessels, appropriately dated. Comes with its original blue case, with red velvet plush setting, gilt description top of lid, pop button release.

Unusual medal to celebrate the achievements of George Bass

$170.00

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The Discovery of Norfolk Island – James Cook – 1774 Anniversary Medal 1974

A fine medal numbered 30 of an issue of only 355, on the rim.

On his second voyage to the Pacific, James Cook discovered Norfolk Island on the 10th October 1774. He named it after the Duchess of Norfolk, wife of Edward Howard the 6th Earl.

High relief medal in oxidised silver, 57mm diameter, 88gm weight.

Fine portrait of James Cook with 200th Anniversary 1774-1974 around. On the reverse a map of the island with higher regions marked in relief and a huge Norfolk Pine, one of the great attractions of the island, for ships masts. Cook’s landing point, on the north shore, is marked as is the line of latitude 29 degree south. Also a fine image of Cook’s vessel HMS Resolution. Narrative details of the discovery complete the surround.

Scarce medal for the James Cook collector, strong relief

$280.00

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Sir John Franklin and Lady Jane Franklin Commemorative Medal

A large bronze medal produced by Emil Hafner for the Tasmanian Numismatic Society in 1987 to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of the arrival of Sir John Franklin in Tasmania.

One of 150 examples (there were 40 in silver) finely engraved by Hafner Mint founded by Czechoslovakian born Emil Hafner.

65mm in diameter, and 94gm weight.

On one side a strong image of Franklin in his regalia his ship HMS Erebus trapped in the ice. Engraved around the edge … Sir John Franklin 1786-1847 Arctic Explorer – Governor of Van Diemen’s Land 1837-1843.

On the reverse, a well known yet striking image of the beautiful Jane Lady Franklin 1791-1875 Patron of the Arts in Van Diemen’s Land 1837-1845

Franklin Connecting Tasmania with Polar Exploration and the North West Passage.

ON HOLD FOR VALUED CUSTOMER

$140.00

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Polar Medal – Erwin Springweiler – 1941

A Polar commemorative golden bronze medal sculpted by Erwin Springweiler and issued by the American Society of Medalists in 1941.

73 mm in diameter weighing 160 gms a fine bright unpolished example. The Arctic side has a proud Polar Bear on a floe with Snow Geese flying in the background and the names Greely, Bartlett, Peary and Byrd celebrated. The Antarctic four proud Penguins with the names Palmer, Wilkes, Byrd and Ellsworth celebrated. Along the rim the Society and Sculptors full name is engraved

Erin Frederick Springweiler (1896-1968) was born in Pforzheim, Germany and trained at the Munich Academy. During the 1830’s he worked with American sculptor Paul Manship at Havana, Cuba. He specialised in animal sculptures and his anteater can be seen at the Washington D.C. Zoological Gardens.

The Society of Medalists was formed in the USA in 1930 to encourage the medallic work of superior sculptors. It ceased in 1995. Springweiler was selected to produce the 1941 issue, the only medal in the series to have a Polar theme.

Springweiler wrote about his approach … “In creating this medal, I was thinking of another world, a silent and cruel one, the regions around the poles of our globe, the endless ice-wastes, the land of midnight sun”

Polar Celebratory Medal by Springweiler

$260.00

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Jean-Baptiste Charcot – Polar Explorer – Commemorative Bronze Medal – 1936

Large commemorative medal to celebrate the life of Jean-Baptiste Auguste Etienne Charcot (1867-1936) struck by the French Mint, in 1936, under the auspices of Expeditions Polaires Francaises. Charcot Frances greatest polar explorer led two successful expeditions to the Antarctic during the Heroic era. He was a doctor and son of neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot.

His first expedition from 1904-1907 in the Francais explored the west coast of Graham Land. This was followed by the 1908-1910 explorations in the Pourquoi-Pas? The subject of the edition offered here. Later he turned his attention to the North and made scientific explorations off Greenland and Svalbard again in the Porquois-Pas? He died when the ship was wrecked in a severe storm off the coast of Iceland in 1936.

This substantial bronze medal, 67mm in diameter and weighing 150 gm celebrates his life. It was designed by E.M. Lindauer, with a bust after Paul Richer. Richer, an anatomical artist, was a colleague of Charcot’s father and worked with him in illustrating certain medical texts. Richer’s sculptures are found in museums around the world including the Musee d’Orsay.

The medal carries a bust of J.B. Charcot on the front acknowledging Paul Richer and on reverse and image of the Pourquoi-Pas? Among icebergs with Expeditions Polaires Francaises above and the ships name below. Very good condition, if not fine condition, with very strong relief.

An example of this medal sold as lot 79 in the Scott Amundsen Centenary Sale at Bonhams, London in 2012 for just short of A$2,500

Special Antarctic Collectable Celebrates the life of J.B. Charcot

$590.00

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Matthew Flinders Medal – Australian Academy of Science

George Bass – Discovery of the Bass Strait – Commemorative Medal – 1968

The Discovery of Norfolk Island – James Cook – 1774 Anniversary Medal 1974

Sir John Franklin and Lady Jane Franklin Commemorative Medal

Polar Medal – Erwin Springweiler – 1941

Jean-Baptiste Charcot – Polar Explorer – Commemorative Bronze Medal – 1936

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