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
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1919 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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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)
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Series
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Material
Silvered Bronze
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
27 mm (Outside Diameter), 8.67 (Weight)
no ribbon
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Shape
Round with loop
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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.
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Keywords