Lot 786

Description

Wimmera District Pastoral & Agricultural Society, 1871, in gold (45mm, 40.3g) by (J.H. S.C. / G.Crisp Melbourne), inscribed on reverse 'Presidents / Champion Prize / awarded to / S.Wilson / for / Champion Ram / and / Champion Ewe / 1871'. Edge knock, extremely fine.

Ex Dr John M.Chapman Collection, Noble Numismatics Sale 88 (lot 834) and from I.S.Wright 1995.

Sir Samuel Wilson (1832-1895) pastoralist and politician. Established a Wimmera run in 1852 and also had some success at the goldfields. He bought Longerenong Station at the junction of the Wimmera River and Yarriambiak Creek. Wilson supported the work of the Acclimatisation Society by experimenting with ostrich farming and breeding angora goats. He acquired many other properties, including Ercildoune Stud. He represented Wimmera in the Legislative Assembly 1861-64. He gave £30,000 to build a hall at Melbourne University. Wilson was President of the National Agricultural Society of Victoria in 1873 and was knighted in 1875. Later he retired to England.