Medal - Australian Bicentenary Schools Medal, Commonwealth of Australia, Australia, 1988

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This item is on display at Melbourne Museum

Where is it from?

A Artist Kew, Australia

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Medal - Australian Bicentenary Schools,1988 AD

Summary:: Cupro-nickel medal commissioned by the Commonwealth of Australia to commemorate the Australian Bicentenary in 1988, designed by Michael Meszaros and M. Tracey and minted by the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra.

This medal was presented to school children to commemorate the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. The obverse was designed by Melbourne artist Michael Meszaros and depicts school children climbing steps with the Southern Cross in the sky and the word 'EDUCATION' below. The reverse, designed by M. Tracey, features the Bicentennial logo, a map of Australia formed by intersecting diagonal lines.
Description:: A cupronickel medal struck by the Commonwealth at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra for distribution to school children to commemorate the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. The medal obverse was designed by the Melbourne artist Michael Meszaros and depicts school children climbing steps with the Southern Cross in the sky and the word EDUCATION below. The reverse features the Bicentennial logo, a map of Australia formed by diagonal lines.
Statement Of Significance:: For over half a century, sculptors Andor (1900-1973) and Michael (1945- ) Meszaros have created medals that reflect the high points of life in Australia. From major awards and portraits of eminent Australians to artwork celebrating popular culture and the natural world, these objects illuminate our culture and history. Grounded in a centuries-old European art tradition, the medals create connections across disciplines and link such diverse subjects as scientific advances, religious themes, sport, the performing arts and motherhood. Through their public and private commissions and their personal artworks, the Meszaros sculptors have defined the modern Australian medal.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Royal Australian Mint, 1988

Discipline:	Numismatics
Dimensions:	40 mm (Diameter)
Weight:	26.76 g (Weight)

More information

Tagged with:	australian bicentenary 1788-1988, celebrations, school children, medals, australia bicentenary maps, 1788-1988 bicentenary coin, captain james cook, 200 year medal collection
Themes this item is part of:	Michael Meszaros, Sculptor & Medal Artist (1945-), Childhood & Youth Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection, Andor Mészáros, Medal Artist (1900-1972), Royal Australian Mint, Deakin, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Numismatics & Philately Collection, Meszaros Medals Collection
On Display at:	Melbourne Museum
Primary Classification:	MEDALS
Secondary Classification:	Commemorative
Tertiary Classification:	bicentenary of australia
Series:	Australian Commemorative Medals
DateEra:	1988 AD
Obverse Description:	Students, the youngest, on the lowest steps, accompanied by parents, walking up steps towards Southern Cross; below, EDUCATION
Reverse Description:	At centre Bicentennial map of Australia logo; around above, AUSTRALIAN BICENTENARY 1788 - 1988
Edge Description:	Plain
Shape:	round
Material:	Copper Nickel
Issued By:	Australian Commonwealth Government, Australia
Mint:	Royal Australian Mint
Artist:	Michael Meszaros, Kew, Victoria, Australia, 1988
Bibliography:	[Catalogue] Sharples, John P. 1990. Medals as Art: Australia and the Meszaros Tradition. [Article] Jewell, Raymond T. 1986. Michael Meszaros: The Man and his Medals. Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. 2: 4-24.

Comments

mariabradvica@gmail.com Posted on 25 Feb 2010 8:21 AM

Hi. I have one Medal.education 1788-1988
.But don't know much about coin.
Is this collection item?
thank you.

Discovery Centre Posted on 25 Feb 2010 1:01 PM

Hi there, Maria. These medals are certainly collectors' items; although you should bear in mind that they were distributed to every primary school child in Australia, in 1988!

Colin Stones Posted on 27 Jun 2010 2:18 PM

Hi,
I was wondering how uch the coin is valued at?
Thankyou!

bert Posted on 05 Sep 2010 6:26 PM

hi colin...it is not a kings ransom..nor is it a coin..its as stated a medal.

bert Posted on 05 Sep 2010 6:35 PM

seen it, trying to be sold for less then 3 dollars aus.on ebay. chers bert

matt Posted on 29 Apr 2011 12:22 AM

I got one in 88. I was in year2 and I had to sit for hours on the basketball court in 35 degree heat listening to some old guy waffle on and several kids pasted out from heat stroke... i wish I still had my coin. I dunno where it went

Dazz Posted on 04 Sep 2011 12:13 PM

I still have my medal, still untouched, but the cardboard thing it came in is a bit worn. i cant remember the year i was in at the time. but like matt i remember people fainting in the heat. that was in north west NSW.

Tu Pham Posted on 13 Sep 2011 11:23 PM

I was in grade 3 and now I got three of them... my brother and sister weren't interested so I kept theirs. Curiosity got the beter of me and I had to crack them open out of their casing. Will it stil be worth something if it's been taken out of the card?

matthew Posted on 19 Sep 2011 6:03 PM

i sold mine for $200 to a Japanese lad. said he wants more!

Bernadette Posted on 16 Oct 2011 11:00 PM

Hey Matthew, just wondering if your coin was still in the cardboard, and how would I be able to get in contact with this Japanese guy. Thanks

Saverio Posted on 25 Oct 2011 8:37 AM

I think I was in grade 6 when I got mine, and yes we were all sitting down in the school playground under 35 degrees heat trying to keep our eyes open :) Mine's still inside the cardboard and in fantastic conditions. Being a collector of stamps, precious stones, coins and ofcourse toys, at the time I went to a fair that was held in the Royal Exhibition Building- Melb and bought a 5-coin commemorative set for Australias 1788-1988 bicentennial. I chewed up every bit of Google trying to find information about this set but can't find anything. Hope you fellows can give me a hand here. And yes would like that japanese lads contact too.

thanks

Got one of these also Posted on 13 Mar 2012 11:42 AM

I was looking up this coin today and trying to research its value if any.... found this page helpful and will for now at least veiw it as a medal of no value.... at least I can pass it down to my children

Cheyne Posted on 21 Mar 2012 12:40 AM

Hi peps im from tasmania I didnt have to sit through the heat to get mine. I just brought another coin from Canada. and also would like that Japanese Lads Contacts Kind Regards

mustafa Posted on 10 Apr 2012 9:33 PM

hi i got in primary when i was small and i would also like the japanese lads info

Discovery Centre Posted on 12 Apr 2012 5:10 PM

Hi everyone, please note that the museum does not facilitate commercial sales of items. Please note our Conditions of Use below which state that comments may be edited, removed or not published if we consider them to be contravening these guidelines.

Amy Posted on 28 Apr 2012 4:14 PM

I'm 18 currently turning 19 this year meaning I started school in 1999 and I got 2 of these coins, pretty good condition, I live in Melbourne and I am in Adelaide for a holiday, I just started coin collecting, went to a antique store and there they were.

Mel Posted on 04 Mar 2013 7:33 AM

I remember getting my i was in year 5. To celebrate the day the hole school let yellow and green balloons with seed go, it was an amazing sight. I have my two sister's as well they didn't want them. I keep them and gave it to there children, who thought it was a great show and share.