Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee medallion 1897

Stokes & Sons

Registration number

1088048

Artist/maker

Stokes & Sons

Title

Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee medallion

Production date

1897

Medium

metal

Dimensions (H x W x D)

3.1 cm (diameter); 0.3 cm (depth)

Inscriptions

Face: QUEEN VICTORIA''''''''''''''''S 60TH YEAR OF REIGN / 1837 TO 1897 / STOKES & SONS Verso: THE QUEENS DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS / CITY OF MELBOURNE / W. STRONG / MAYOR / 1897

Credit line

City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Melbourne, Queen Victoria, Diamond, Jubilee, Celebrations, W. Strong, Stokes & Sons

Summary

During 1887 and 1897 the issuing of medallions proliferated, especially those commemorating royal occasions, such as the golden and diamond jubilees of Queen Victoria's reign. During both occasions, almost every shire and town council across the country issued medallions, mainly struck by Thomas Stokes. Melbourne was no exception. This example in the Art and Heritage Collection has a dual portrait, or jugate, of Queen Victoria facing left: in the left-hand portrait she appears as she did when she took the throne; to the right is a more contemporary portrait. The reverse states 'The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations / 1897' around the rim, encircling an image of Melbourne Town Hall, with 'City of Melbourne' at its top and 'W. Strong, Mayor' at its bottom. The medallion has a hole at the top with a loop, so it could be worn by its owner, usually suspended by a ribbon. This text is excerpted from Darren Burgess' essay 'City of Melbourne Numismatic Collection', available in full through the 'Explore' tab above.