Summary

Australia Tasmania
Royal Society of Tasmania Medal - 1988 Joseph Banks Memorial Lecture
Other Details: A cast bronze medal of irregular shape with intertwined branches and leaves linking obverse and reverse. It was produced in 1988 for the Joseph Banks Memorial lecture and features a bust of Banks, the H.M.S. 'Beagle' under sail, and flowers and a lizard. It was designed by well-known Australian sculptor Stephen Walker, reknowned for his interest in nature. Banks was an English botanist who was the first to describe many Australian species; the 'Beagle' was the ship of Charles Darwin, author of the 'Origin of Species'. The Royal Society of Tasmania was founded in 1843 as the Botanical and Horticultural Society of Van Dieman's Land. In 1911 the Society was incorporated and renamed The Royal Society of Tasmania. The Tasmanian Museum and Botanical Gardens were originally part of the Society, but were transferred to the Crown in 1885. The Royal Society of Tasmania supports the advancement of knowledge.

Physical Description

A cast bronze medal of irregular shape aproximating a circle and with intertwined branches and leaves linking obverse and reverse. It was produced in 1988 for the Joseph Banks Memorial lecture and features a bust of Banks facing 3/4 left; and H.M.S. Beagle under sail away to right with flower behind and lizard below.

Obverse Description

At centre within border of leaves and nuts, a bust of Banks facing 3/4 left; around, incuse, Sir Joseph Banks 1988 memorial lecture

Reverse Description

At centre, within border of leaves, H.M.S. Beagle under sail away to right with flower behind and lizard below; around, incuse, THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA

Edge Description

Intertwined branches and leaves linking obverse and reverse

Significance

The Royal Society of Tasmania was founded in 1843 as the Botanical and Horticultural Society of Van Dieman's Land. In 1911 the Society was incorporated and renamed The Royal Society of Tasmania. The Tasmanian Museum and Botanical Gardens were originally part of the Society, but were transferred to the Crown in 1885. The Royal Society of Tasmania supports the advancement of knowledge. -McNiece, Roger V. 1997. Medals of the Royal Society of Tasmania. Numismatic Association of Australia Journal. 3. pp. 27-30. -D. Tout-Smith 13/10/2003.

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