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Australia: Boer War: Queen Victoria / "Departure of Australian Volunteers"

Australia: Boer War: Queen Victoria / "Departure of Australian Volunteers"Australia: Boer War: Queen Victoria / "Departure of Australian Volunteers"
Australia: Boer War: Queen Victoria / "Departure of Australian Volunteers"Australia: Boer War: Queen Victoria / "Departure of Australian Volunteers"
Form: Circular
By: ?
Date: 1900
Ref:  Hern: 700; Carlisle: 1899-00/22; Laidlaw: 0332;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
29.8 mmSilver12.3 gm$199
29.8 mmGilded Bronze9.7 gm$40

Edge: Plain. Silver medal engraved: “BKN HILL. SYDNEY.”

Obverse: Within a beaded border round the rim, old-head, veiled and diademed bust of Queen Victoria, left, similar to coinage. Legend: “TRANSVAAL WAR”.

Reverse: Early (and unofficial) arms of the Federation of Australia, the shield showing the cross of St George with five stars and the quadrants having symbols representing (some of) the colonies in the Federation. Rising radiant sun crest and supporters, emu (left) and kangaroo (right). The motto: “ADVANCE AUSTRALIA” on a ribbon below. Behind the arms, crossed standards of the British (left) and Australian (right) flags. In an arc below: “1899 . 1900”. Legend within beaded borders: “TO COMMEMORATE THE DEPARTURE OF AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS” with a star at the foot.

Notes: This medal pre-dates the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1st January 1901. The official arms of Australia resembles the arms on this medal.

Broken Hill is a silver mining town in the far west of New South Wales.

The bronze medal is usually found holed at 12 o'clock. The medal here has been holed in the edge, top and bottom, for a swivel mount.