Australian Historical Medals (1788-1885)

Lot 993    SESSION 3 (John Chapman Collection, 2.30pm Tuesday)    Australian Historical Medals (1788-1885)

Estimate $1,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $700

JUBILEE OF CONGREGATIONALISM IN AUSTRALIA, 1883, uniface medal in gilded bronze (102mm) by Jackson Ives & Co. Extremely fine and very rare (with two recorded copies).

Ex Spink Australia Sale 16 (lot 1304). Part excerpt from 'The Sydney Morning Herald' 11 April 1931 'Congregationlism, Its Approaching Centenary' by Frank Walker F.R.A.H.S. 'Those of our denomination in Australia who are looking forward to the centenary of Congregationalism in 1933 will be interested in an illustration of the medal that was struck at the time of the jubilee in 1883, which has only lately come to light. As will be seen, it is of conventional design, the central figure being intended for Moses, the lawgiver. The seven stars surrounding the upper part of the figure represent the six colonies of Australasia and New Zealand, which at that time was included. The bowl of burning incense and palm leaves have a scriptural meaning, but the nature of the plant on the right of the tablet is somewhat obscure.'