Lot 646

Description

International Exhibition, 1862, For Services, in bronze (55mm) by W.Wyon, obverse, crowned head of Queen Victoria left, around 'Her Majesty Queen Victoria', reverse, wreath, inside 'For / Services', around, 'International Exhibition, 1862', edge stamped, 'Sir H.E.Fox Young, C.B.'. Extremely fine and rare to an Australian colonial official.

Sir Henry Edward Fox Young C.B. (1803-1870) colonial administrator, served in various colonial positions in Demerara, British Guiana and St Lucia until knighted in 1847. He was then appointed Lt-Governor of the eastern districts of the Cape Colony but in June transferred to South Australia. After a brief trip to England he returned to South Australia. In 1852 he alleviated the economic crisis caused by the Victorian goldfield discoveries and was in charge when the Adelaide Assay Office produced the Adelaide Pound gold coin in 1852. He examined the lower reaches of the Murray River in 1850 and in 1853 accompanied Francis Cadell on the voyage of his steamer Lady Augusta. In 1854 he was posted to Van Diemen's Land as Governor arriving in 1855. After much controversy he resigned in 1861 and returned to London. One of the roles he assumed was that of director and chairman of the Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Co. He died on 18 September 1870.