Badge - Australia's Commonwealth, Australia, 1899

Search the collections

This item is on display at Melbourne Museum

Summary:: Sterling silver and enamel badge minted by Stokes & Sons, Melbourne in 1899. The badge would have been worn by a supporter of Federation. Although the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act had passed both houses of the British Parliament, it was not certain that all six colonies would join the Federation. Each colonial Parliament had to pass legislation agreeing to become part of the Commonwealth, and then hold referenda. In 1899 referenda were held in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland. Western Australia held a referendum in 1900.

Discipline:	Numismatics
Dimensions:	26 mm (Width), 34 mm (Length)

Tagged with:	australian federation 1901, constitutional referendums
Themes this item is part of:	Stokes & Son, Medal Makers, Melbourne, Victoria & Sydney, New South Wales, Public Life & Institutions Collection
On Display at:	Melbourne Museum
Primary Classification:	PUBLIC EVENTS
Secondary Classification:	Federation
Tertiary Classification:	badges
DateEra:	1899 AD
Obverse Description:	Silver lettering on blue circle: AUSTRALIA'S COMMONWEALTH * 1899 *
Reverse Description:	Stamped: STOKES / ST. SIL
Shape:	Star with loop
Material:	Silver and enamel
Mint:	Stokes & Sons (Mint), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1899
References:	Carlisle 1899/2