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Medal - Australia's 150th Anniversary, New South Wales, Australia, 1938
Reg. No: NU 33139
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- Summary:
- Australia New South Wales Sydney
Australia's 150 Anniversary Medal 1938 (AD)
Mint: Amor
Other Details: This medal was struck in 1938 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of British settlement of Australia. It shows Captain Arthur Phillip, first governor of the colony of New South Wales and coordinator of the First Fleet. Phillip was a career naval officer and a capable administrator in his first governing post. He was enthusiastic about the new colony, although did not want to see convicts 'lay the foundation of an Empire'. The First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay on 18 January 1788. Phillip enjoyed absolute powers in the colony, only accountable to the Colonial Secretary in England then to the Prime Minister and then to the King. He combined executive and legislative functions, and held the powers of the Chief Justice. He had complete authority over the inhabitants and the right to make regulations touching practically all aspects of their lives. He could also had the authority to grant land to approved persons. Phillip named and helped design Sydney and established Parramatta in 1788 for agricultural purposes. Parramatta soon became the main economic centre of the colony. Phillip established a clearing and building program and built the first government house. He was a firm but not harsh disciplinarian who rewarded signs of industry, but experienced a difficult relationship with his subordinate officers. He sought to persuade the Aboriginal population of the superiority of British civilization, while instituting the official British policy 'to endeavour to open intercourse' and to punish any person who 'interrupted' Aboriginal people. - Acquisition Information:
- Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1976
| Discipline: | Numismatics |
| Dimensions: | 57 mm (Diameter) |
| Weight: | 98.73 g (Weight) |
More information
| Tagged with: | australia day, copper |
| Themes this item is part of: | Arthur Phillip, Admiral & Governor (1783-1814), Public Life & Institutions Collection, W.J. Amor Mint, Medal Maker, New South Wales, Getting In, Immigration Museum Exhibition, 2003-2015 |
| Primary Classification: | MEDALS |
| Secondary Classification: | Commemorative |
| Tertiary Classification: | sesquicentenary of australia |
| DateEra: | 1938 AD |
| Obverse Description: | Scene of Sydney Cove with British uniformed personnel saluting the Union Jack. Around , THE LANDING AT SYDNEY COVE OF CAPTAIN ARTHUR PHILLIP * JANUARY 26, 1788 * |
| Reverse Description: | Bust of Phillip, around AUSTRALIA'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY /1788-1938. At left shoulder, CAPTAIN ARTHUR PHILLIP. |
| Edge Description: | Impressed SPECIMEN ONLY |
| Inscriptions: | Impressed SPECIMEN ONLY (edge) (obverse) (reverse) |
| Shape: | round |
| Material: | Silver-plated |
| Place & Date Depicted: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1788 |
| Issued By: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1938 |
| Mint: | Amor (Mint), 1938 |
| Person Depicted: | Captain Arthur Phillip, England, Great Britain, 1788 |
| References: | Car.1938/7 |
Themes
This item is part of the following themes:
Comments
Having looked at the publication "Australian Historical Medals 1788-1988" (Carlisle, L., 2008), there is indeed a 150th anniversary medal with the inscription you describe. The image in the book shows the medal with an attached, pierced ring by which the medal may be suspended. I would recommend you source this book from a library (it is available for perusal at the Discovery Centre library), or contact a numismatics society for more details.