Summary

First prize medal, gold, issued by Victoria Industrial Society.

The Victoria Industrial Society hosted annual Victorian Industrial Exhibitions. A Victorian Industrial Exhibition was held in Geelong 29-30 January 1851. Livestock, agriculture and wines were exhibited and prizes were awarded. The Victoria Industrial Society exhibitions were well-received and became an annual event.

This is the earliest known struck gold medal produced in Victoria.

Obverse Description

Aborigine with spear, standing between a kangaroo and an emu.

Reverse Description

Inscribed 1st PRIZE / AWARDED / BY THE / VICTORIA / INDUSTRIAL / SOCIETY

Significance

This medal is significant as the earliest known struck gold medal produced in Victoria. It is earliest known prize medal issued by the Victoria Industrial Society, which played an important early role in holding industrial and agricultural exhibitions and awarded prizes for livestock, agriculture and wines.

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