Australian Historical Medals

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Lot 1063    SESSION 4 (4.30pm Tuesday 21 July)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

VICTORIAN RAILWAYS, Free Pass, handcrafted in gold (21ct, 19.7gms, 28mm x 23mm octagonal shape with small mount), inscribed on obverse 'Victorian Railways Free Pass' and on reverse 'South Aust Rlys Commission Member', manufactured by Kilpatrick & Co., Goldsmiths of 39 Collins St, Melbourne, in 1886, that Company being under the Vice-Regal patronage. With original case of issue, extremely fine and rare.

The pass bears the plain gold Crown of Queen Victoria and as such could only be used by the Governor or a senior member of Government. The Gold Pass befits the momentous occasion of the opening of the Railway and would give the Governor or senior government leaders free travel between the colonies. The quality and cost of making the pass is evident by the intricate and minute screw pins holding the hand beaten Crown onto the main mounting. The gold content is in excess of any listed gold Railway Pass issued in subsequent years. It shows little sign of use particularly the case and its clasp and was probably used only at the time of the inaugural run of the first train in 1887. Traditionally all Railway Passes bearing the Crown of Monarch were scrapped upon the demise of the Monarch and the gold reused to produce replacement passes bearing the new Crown.

Estimate / sale price does not include buyer's premium (currently 22% including GST) which is added to hammer price. All bids are executed on the understanding that the Terms & Conditions of sale have been read and accepted. For information on grading and estimates please refer to the Buying at Auction advice.

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Adjacent lots

  • Lot 1061  

    VICTORIAN RAILWAYS, handcrafted pass in gold (5.5gms, 22mm) with loop mount, engraved on reverse 'Assistant ...

    Estimate $350

  • Lot 1062  

    VICTORIAN RAILWAYS, Member of Parliament Free Pass, in gold (15ct, 12.8gms including fob chain, 22mm ...

    Estimate $750

  • Lot 1063   This lot

    VICTORIAN RAILWAYS, Free Pass, handcrafted in gold (21ct, 19.7gms, 28mm x 23mm octagonal shape with ...

    Estimate $3,000

  • Lot 1064  

    VICTORIAN RAILWAYS, handcrafted pass in gold (9ct, 4.6gms, 22mm) with loop mount, engraved on obverse ...

    Estimate $300

  • Lot 1065  

    S(OUTH) A(USTRALIAN) R(AILWAYS), pass in gold, hallmarked (19.1gms, 25.8mm x 25.9mm) with loop mount, obverse ...

    Estimate $650