Artistically, this is one of the most striking Australian prize medals of the first half of the 20th Century. It can be dated as much by its style as by reference to dates on awarded examples, which are from the mid 1930s.

Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy award, obverse.

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Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy award' medal, reverse.

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Obverse – Naked young miner crouching on an anvil and holding a pick and a lump of ore. Around him is the legend AUSTRALASIAN INSTITUTE OF MINING & METALLURGY. Tiny letters PM on the left side of the '&' are thought to be the artists initials. The word STOKES on the other side is the name of the private mint in Melbourne where the piece was struck.		Reverse – A crossed hammer and pickaxe at the top of a wreath and above a cross–shaped shield. Around this is a ribbon on which the name of the recipient would be engraved together with the year of the award.

Transferred from National Gallery of Victoria, 1976