Catalogue
The `Charlotte' Medal, 1788, in silver (74mm, weight 37.58gms) (MH.49 - this piece), engraved on both sides of a thin silver disc, obverse, fully-rigged ship secured to a buoy, sun near horizon to left, crescent moon and stars in the sky, inscribed in left field `The Charlotte at anchor / in Botany Bay / Jany. th 20, / 1788', inscribed on reverse a full description of the voyage from London to Botany Bay (13,106 miles) in nautical terminology. Contemporary in style this medallion was engraved by Thomas Barrett one of the convicts on board the `Charlotte' whilst the ship was anchored in Botany Bay between the 20th and 26th January. This medal is widely acclaimed as the first Australian Colonial work of art and an icon of the foundation of our nation and as such is of immense historical interest to Australia. Extremely fine and unique.
Estimate $750,000
SOLD $750,000
The Halloran School Medal, 1823, in silver (72mm) with loop suspender, by Samuel Clayton, obverse, an allegorical scene of Minerva leading a schoolboy, the temple of Fame and a church in the background, legend, Ardua prima via est sed fit labor ipse voluptas (At first the way is hard but labour itself becomes a pleasure) and signed 'S.Clayton Delt. et. Sculpt.', reverse, legend, Ingenuo magnaeque spei adolescenti / Guiliemo M. Campbell / Prpter insignes in Artibus / Progressus signum hoc / Honorarium dedit / Praeceptor ejus, et amicus / Laurentius Halloran / SS.T.P. / 1823 (upright young man of great future, William Campbell, on account of his distinguished progress on his studies, his teacher and friend Lawrence Halloran gave this mark of honour SS.T.P.1823). Extremely fine and very rare, amongst the earliest of Australian medals extant having been executed by the finest silversmith in the colony at the time.
Estimate $20,000
SOLD $26,000
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.
Estimate $2,500
SOLD $2,900
The seal of the Archdeacon of Van Diemen's Land, 1836-1841, silver set in brass (33mm x 26mm) with an elaborate finely turned wooden handle, central Royal Coat of Arms - The Archbishop of Van Diemens Land. Good vey fine and very rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $1,600
Saint James Grammar School, Sydney, 1841, handcrafted medal in silver (57mm), silver disc within a heavy ornamental frame with decorative suspension mount, engraved on obverse 'Saint James's / Grammar School / Elizabeth Street / Sydney.', and on reverse 'The Prize / Diligence / Awarded to / William Unsworth / Christmas A.D.1841'. Extremely fine and extremely rare.
Estimate $1,250
SOLD $2,000
Australian Floral & Horticultural Society, 1841, handcrafted medal in silver (48mm), two convex silver discs within an ornamental frame with a decorative suspension mount, engraved on obverse 'Australian / Floral & Horticultural / Society' and on reverse 'February Show / 1841 / Presented to / Robert Rennie / for the best / Potatoes'. Extremely fine and very rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $1,950
Port Phillip Academical Institution, 1844, handcrafted prize medal in silver (37mm), engraved on obverse 'Port Phillip Academical Institution / Established / Augst.1st / 1844', and on reverse, '2nd Prize Geography / for « year / Ending 31st / Decr 1844 / Mastr W.Williamson'; together with, medalet in white metal (27mm), obverse, view of Bruce Castle, reverse, All is the Gift of Industry around, and inscribed within tablet 'W.Williamson'. First medal housed in a small circular wooden box. Extremely fine. (2)
Estimate $4,750
SOLD $6,100
Snuff box, in sterling silver, hallmarked, engraved on lid 'To Owsley Cockburn Esq / by the Inhabitants of / Melbourne, Pt Phillip / for his Bravery and Humane Exertions in aiding / the suffering survivors from the / Awful Wreck (by night) of the Emigrant Ship / 'CATARAQUI' / on Kings Island Aug 4th 1845 / when out of 423 persons but 9 were saved'. Note: The inscription on the snuff box as to the number of deaths does not tally with the true number. Extremely fine. Owlsey Cockurn, grandson of Archibald Cockburn of Cockpen, Baron of the Exchequer and nephew of Lord Cockburn, the Scottish Law Lord. He and his brothers were squatters between 1839-1850 (Paul de Serville 'Port Phillip Gentlemen'). This snuff box is mentioned in 'Chronicles of Early Melbourne', 1888, by Edmund Finn, 'Garyowen', page 587; Hawkins, J.B., 'Nineteenth Century Australia', silver, vol 1, page 184. The wreck of the ship 'Cataraquai' on the south west shore of King Island on 4th August 1845 with a loss of 399 lives which included 369 immigrants was and still is Australia's greatest loss of civilian lives. The 'Cataraquai' was the last vessel to be chartered by the Immigration Commissioners under the bounty system. She left England in April 1845 bound for Australia. After fourteen weeks at sea, heavy weather struck. Captain Finlay had not been able to accurately plot his position, in fact he was about sixty miles off course. This had the 'Cataraquai' heading straight for King Island and disaster. When she struck many of the passengers including women and children were confined below decks and were drowned in their quarters, about two hundred others clung to the ship which was being hit by massive waves. During the evening the vessel broke in two and with this happening taking many lives. Finally when the remainder of the 'Cataraquai' broke into pieces there was only nine survivors who managed to get ashore onKing Island. The survivors were found and cared for by a party of sealers for four weeks until 7th September when a cutter 'Midge' was signalled as she approached the Island and took aboard the survivors, taking them to Melbourne. Excerpt from 'The Chronicles of Early Melbourne', 1888, pages 586-587, by Edmund Finn, 'Garryowen' ... 'That this meeting considers that Messrs. Fletcher and Cockburn deserve a token of public approbation for the prompt and humane manner in which , at great risk, they brought of the survivors from the place of wreck'... 'gratuity to two seamen belonging to the 'Midge'; silver snuff-boxes with suitable inscription to Messrs. Fletcher and Cockburn, owners of the 'Midge' each of the value of five guineas'. The Government some time after caused to be erected on the spot a tablet thus engraved ... 'Memorial / Of the total wreck of the Immigrant Ship / 'CATARAQUAI' / From Liverpool to Port Phillip / C.W.Finlay, Master / On these reefs / 4th August 1845' 'Of four hundred and eight souls on board, but nine survived - The Chief Mate, Thomas Guthrie, seven sailors, and one emigrant, Solomon Brown. This memorial records and deplores the loss of the Master, C.W.Finlay; Surgeon-Superintendent, C.Carpenter; Assistant Surgeon, Edward Carpenter, and twenty seven officers and men of the ship's company. Of sixty two emigrant families, comprising three hundred and thirteen souls; of unmarried female emigrants, thirty three; of unmarried male emigrants, twenty three; in all, three hundred and ninety nine souls. This tablet is erected at the expense of the local Government of Port Phillip.
Estimate $15,000
SOLD $15,250
Round box in silver (dia 70mm, ht 60mm) with a Loyal Foley Lodge medal surrounded by a star shape for the lid, hallmark Sheffield 1847, maker I.S. (Isaac Simmons), inscribed on the underside of the lid 'Presented to / Geo Woodcock Esq. / by the / Brothers of the Loyal Foley Lodge / Eardisley / of the I.O.F.M.U. in token of his many / and valuable services to the cause of / Oddfellowship / Jany 1849', base of box 'Wendt' with crown and lion (his early form of mark). Extremely fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $520
Gardeners' and Amateurs' Horticultural Society, (Tasmania), 1848, handcrafted medal in silver (44.5mm), silver disc with ornate surround and loop mount, inscribed on obverse 'Gardeners' and Amateurs' Horticultural Society / Prize / for / Wine / 1848', and on reverse 'Presented / to / F.G.Tabart Esqre. / Fonthill'. Extremely fine and extremely rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $3,600
Thorn Hill Ploughing Match, (Tasmania), 1849, in silver (65mm, 77.8gms) including ornate laurel wreath surround, composite silver medal comprising silver disc (51mm) with central overlay of a silver plough surrounded by a laurel wreath overlay, almost certainly by Charles Jones of Liverpool St, Hobart, inscribed on reverse 'Thorn Hill Ploughing Match 1849 / 1st Prize / presented by / Mr Richd Crocker / to / George Woolley'. The earliest agricultural medal recorded in Tasmania. Good very fine and rare if not unique.
Estimate $5,000
SOLD $5,000
Government of Tasmania, 1850-1860, seal die in steel (29mm x 25mm), oval design with Coat of Arms. Very fine.
Estimate $120
SOLD $270
Separation of Victoria, 1850, in white metal (51mm), plain edge with milled rims, holed above crown as issued by A.Ronalds Engr (C.1850/1), obverse, a circle divided into quadrants, with heavily embossed sun at centre. The mottoes of the symbolic quadrants designs are opposite them in a peripheral annulus, they read Maternal Affection-Adieu-How Sweet is Liberty-Separated But Still United, reverse, Commemorative / of the / Great Charter / of / Self Government / Granted to the / Colony / of / Victoria / Augst. 5th / 1850, surrounded by a wreath of British emblems, rose, thistle and shamrock, divided by a crown above. At the base in small script, A.Ronalds Engr. Finest example known, extremely fine and extremely rare.
Estimate $25,000
SOLD $22,750
Colony of New South Wales, medal for Capturing Bushrangers, (c1851), in silver (38mm), unawarded, obverse, Queen Victoria bust left, J.C.T. on truncation, Granted For Faithful and Distinguished Services, reverse, Colony of New South Wales and unofficial Coats of Arms. Obverse with die break. Good very fine and extremely rare.
Estimate $20,000
SOLD $28,000
London International Exhibition, 1851, Exhibitors medal in bronze (45mm), impressed on edge 'Van Diemen's Land No.198' (BHM 2463, Eimer 1462). Good extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $500
SOLD $0
Great Exhibition, Jurors' medal, 1851, in bronze (64mm) by W.Wyon/G.G.Adams, impressed around edge 'Presentation Jurors Medal of the Exhibition - Van Diemens Land'. Contact marks in obverse and reverse fields, otherwise very fine.
Estimate $250
SOLD $450
Victoria Industrial Society, 1st Prize, in gold (26mm, 12.5gms) with loop mount at top, obverse, aborigine with spear standing between a kangaroo and an emu, reverse, 1st prize / Awarded / by the / Victoria Industrial Society. This is the only known specimen and the earliest struck gold medal for Victoria. Fine and unique.
Estimate $3,000
SOLD $5,600
The Old Identities Association, Ballarat, 1851-1854, in silver (32.5mm) with silver suspender 'Ballarat' by C.A.Welch, Ballarat (Charles Andrew Welch, Jeweller, 23 Sturt Street, Ballarat), inscribed on reverse 'Arrived Aug / 53 / B.W.Wright'. Very fine and extremely rare.
Estimate $3,500
SOLD $3,500
Snuff box, in sterling silver, hallmarked Birmingham 1851, engraved on lid 'Presented to / Mr R.C.Young., / Architect, on his leaving Gateshead / For Australia / by the Mayor, on behalf of his / Fellow Townsmen as a Mark / of their High Regard / Oct 13, 1852'.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $2,400
New South Wales - South Australia - Victoria, River Murray Steam Navigation and Commerce, in bronze (77mm) struck in England by the Royal Mint (L.C.Wyon). Extremely fine and extremely rare.
Estimate $35,000
SOLD $34,750
New South Wales - South Australia - Victoria, River Murray Steam Navigation and Commerce, in bronze, 1853, (77mm) (restrike) (C.1853/1 variant). When the Murray Navigation gold medal was stolen from the Art Gallery of South Australia in 1914, the badly rusted original dies were used by Stokes to produce restrikes (c1920). They are easily identified by the extensive die damage and a thinner, lighter flan (135gms) as compared to (255gms) for the original strikings. Very fine.
Estimate $650
SOLD $850
Cessation of Transportation, 1853, in bronze (58mm) (C.1853/2). Nearly uncirculated and very rare.
Estimate $1,500
SOLD $2,100
Cessation of Transportation, in white metal (58mm) by the Royal Mint London (C.1853/2). Extremely fine.
Estimate $300
SOLD $590
University of Sydney, 1853, hand engraved medal in gold (92.18gms, 64.5mm), presented to Fitzwilliam Wentworth, obverse, central floral spray within decorative border, around, inscription in latin 'Universita Sidneien Virtutem Doctrina Paret', engraved on reverse inscription in latin which translates as 'the Principal, Vice-Principal and Fellows of the University, all concurring and present in the Month of March in the year 1853, gave as a gift and sign of their goodwill and encouragement to work, a medal struck in gold to Fitzwilliam Wentworth, student of the youthful University of Sydney, oustanding for his interest in both sides of scholarship on his departure to Cambridge'. An interesting early and historical medal of the University of Sydney being the first medal awarded by Australia's first University. Flan fitted in a gold ring pierced for suspension. Nearly extremely fine and extremely rare.
Estimate $12,000
SOLD $12,500
Wax seal of the University of Melbourne, 1853 (95mm) with attached blue ribbon, in original Japanned circular tin box. Seal with cracks, however all intact, very fine.
Estimate $200
SOLD $190
Named pass in silver (16.2mm), fabricated from an English threepence, reverse side smoothed and engraved with central star/ray ornament and 'R.Lewis / Hobart Town', holed for suspension. Very fine and rare.
Estimate $250
SOLD $340
Port Phillip Farmers Society, 1854, in silver (51mm) by Arnoldi, inscribed on reverse 'Horse Hay Rake / First Prize / to / Mr Joseph Nicholson / 1854'. With original case of issue. Extremely fine.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $1,850
Port Phillip Farmers Society, 1854, in silver (38mm) obverse by Arnoldi, inscribed on reverse 'Wheat / Second Prize / to / Mr Peter McCracken / 1854'. With original case of issue. Two minor edge bruises, otherwise good very fine.
Estimate $600
SOLD $1,050
Melbourne Exhibition, Victoria, 1854, in bronze (64mm) by (J.S.Wyon) edge impressed 'Prize Medal, 517, Livezey & Alexander, Daguerreotype Portraits' (C.1854/2). Good very fine.
Estimate $500
SOLD $750
Melbourne Exhibition, Victoria, 1854, in bronze (64mm) by (J.S.Wyon) edge impressed 'Prize Medal 239 E Gilks, Lithography' (C.1854/2). With case of issue. Good extremely fine.
Estimate $600
SOLD $1,050