Summary

Children's Peace medal, made by Stokes & Sons in 1919 and presented to the 'School Children of the Commonwealth of Australia'.

Of the commemorative medals issued to mark the end of World War I, the most common was the so-called 'Peace' or 'Victory' medal issued to every child in Australia aged 0-14 years (and aged up to 16 if parents were in the armed forces). The medal was designed by Charles Douglas Richardson, better known for his work as a sculptor. Time constraints as well as pressure from the production of other victory medals meant that no single manufacturer could make the 1,670,000 medals. Six were therefore selected: Amor, Stokes, Schlank, Parkes, Angus & Coote (who later withdrew) and Platers. The medals were silvered bronze, with silver issues for special presentations. The Defence Department supplied a red, white and blue striped ribbon and pin. Distribution began in March 1919. Victorian school children received their medals on Friday 18 July and on 'Peace Day' on Saturday 19 July.

Obverse Description

Peace with two flying doves on pedestal inscribed, PEACE / 1919 below AUSTRALIA; figure in chains on left and another entangled in bush to right

Reverse Description

Australian sailor and soldier support wreath; above, VICTORY; within, THE / TRIUMPH / OF / LIBERTY / AND / JUSTICE; below on plaque, THE PEACE OF 1919

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Public Life & Institutions, Childhood

  • Acquisition Information

    Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976

  • Date Issued

    1919 AD

  • Issued By

    Department of Defence, Australia, 1919

  • Mint

    Stokes & Sons (Mint), 1919

  • Artist

    Douglas Richardson, 1919
    This is may be Charles Douglas Richardson - it is executed in his style - but Carlisle says Douglas Richardson. -D. Tout-Smith 5/2/3004.

  • Inscriptions

    Plain (edge) Peace with two flying doves on pedestal inscribed, PEACE / 1919 below AUSTRALIA; figure in chains on left and another entangled in bush to right (obverse) Australian sailor and soldier support wreath; above, VICTORY; within, THE / TRIUMPH / OF / LIBERTY / AND / JUSTICE; below on plaque, THE PEACE OF 1919(reverse)

  • Series

    Australian Commemorative Medals

  • Material

    Silvered Bronze

  • Axis

    12

  • Classification

    Medals, Commemorative, Peace

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Dimensions

    27 mm (Outside Diameter), 8.67 (Weight)
    no ribbon

  • Shape

    Round with loop

  • References

    Car.1919/2 Carlisle, Leslie J. & Fleig, Peter. 2002. The Great War Children's Peace Medal. NMAA Journal. 13: 48-72.
    [Article] Carlisle, Leslie J. & Fleig, Peter. 2002. The Great War Children's Peace Medal. Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. 13: 48-72.

  • Keywords

    School Children, Wars & Conflicts, World War I, 1914-1918