Centenary of Rail in Melbourne, 1954

The first railway in Victoria opened in 1854, running between Melbourne and Sandridge (Port Melbourne). In 1914, the railways 60th anniversary had been commemorated by the issue of a medal. Forty years later the Numismatic Association of Victoria, collectors of coins and medals, copied the design from the 1914 for this medal to mark the centenary.

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Obverse – Flinders Street Station in 1854 with a steam train at the platform. The maker's name, STOKES MELB, can be seen in small letters below the image.		Reverse – The legend THIS MEDALLION WAS STRUCK TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTENARY OF THE OPENING OF THE FIRST STEAM RAILWAY IN AUSTRALIA ON SEPTEMBER 12TH 1854. Around this is NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA SEPTEMBER 12TH 1954.

Transferred from National Gallery of Victoria, 1976