Summary

This commemorative medal was issued in 1935 by the Vacuum Oil Company to commemorate 40 years in business in Australia. The medal features the Roman god Mercury and depicts improvement in transport - from horse-drawn carts and penny-farthing cycles to modern cars and aircraft. The medals were struck by the private Melbourne mint Stokes. In 1895 the Vacuum Oil Company became the first oil company established in Australia, less than 30 years after Vacuum first started operations in the United States. Prior to this other brands of oil based products were marketed by overseas companies through their Australian agents. In March 1904 Vacuum Oil was officially incorporated under Victorian Law as a proprietary company. In the 1930s Vacuum's American parent company, Vacuum Oil Inc., merged with the Standard Oil Company of New York to become Socony Vacuum, then Socony Mobil. It eventually became Mobil Corporation.
Mint: Stokes.

Obverse Description

Mercury running right; in field, PRO[G]RESS figure covers most of "G"; lower left, horse drawn carriage and penny-farthing bicycle; lower right, car and plane; around, VACUUM OIL COMPANY FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY; 1895 1935

Reverse Description

Within a wreath of wings which meet at the base at a wheel and letter V; BY / STEADFASTLY HOLDING / TO ITS IDEAL OF NATIONWIDE / SERVICE TO AGRICULTURE / INDUSTRY AND TRANSPORT / FOR 40 YEARS, THE VACUUM / OIL etc

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

In 1895 the Vacuum Oil Company became the first oil company established in Australia, less than 30 years after Vacuum first started operations in the United States. Prior to this other brands of oil based products were marketed by overseas companies through their Australian agents. In March 1904 Vacuum Oil was officially incorporated under Victorian Law as a proprietary company. In the 1930s Vacuum's American parent company, Vacuum Oil Inc, merged with the Standard Oil Company of New York to become Socony Vacuum, then Socony Mobil. It eventually became Mobil Corporation. -Esso web site http://www.esso.com.au/index.asp; http://home.austarnet.com.au/jamieson/plume.html; -D. Tout-Smith 16/2/2004.

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