Lot 706

Description

Wesleyan Sunday School, Parramatta, 1825, engraved on the reverse of a three shillings token (1812-1815) (35mm) 'Wesleyan / Sunday School / Parramatta / 1825', housed on an old card on which is written on the front 'This Silver Medal was struck to commemorate the opening in 1825 of the First Sunday School in Australia which was founded in Parramatta, then the Capital of Australia by the followers of John Wesley under the leadership of the Revd Samuel Leigh - the first Wesleyan Minister in Australia, signed M.Hyman 11.11.1841', and on the back 'This medal was recovered from the building on its demolition. M.H.' A rare and early historical medal of Australia utilising a 'coin' of the time as a necessity. Unpublished and probably unique. Holed, otherwise very fine.

Ex A.H.F. Baldwin Collection, W.J. Noble Collection and Spink Australia Sale 24 (lot 1019). This 'medal' may have been laid in the foundation stone. Leigh Samuel (1785-1852) established the first Methodist Church circuit in Australia for which he travelled 150 miles every three weeks. He was appointed superintendent at Parramatta about 1825. His memory is honoured by the Leigh Memorial Centenary Church, Parramatta. 'The Queenslander' in 1895 serialised 'The Numismatic History of Australia', by Walter E.Roth, in chapter IV he states 'There is still in existence a Bank of England three shillings token rubbed smooth on one side, upon which there has been subsequently engraved 'Wesleyan Sunday School, Parramatta, 1825'. See Parramatta Sunday School medal, 1821, by same engraver - Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd Sale 64A (lot 930)