Summary

Australia New South Wales Sydney
Medal - Agricultural Society of New South Wales, Practice with Science 1878 (AD)
Mint: Hardy Brothers, London
Awarded to: Horticultural Society of Victoria
Other Details: This medal was one of 28 medals presented by Baron von Mueller and displayed in the Board Room of the original Museum, Library and National Gallery. The donations occurred in the 1870s and 1880s and the medals were still on display when Chitty catalogued the collection in 1920. The medal was issued by the Agricultural Society of New South Wales, and names the Horticultural Society of Victoria. The Agricultural Society of New South Wales was established in 1822 by a group of Sydney's leading citizens. They aimed to improve the quality of Australia's primary production by means of contests and competitions. In 1880, when the Society was suffering severe financial difficulties, it decided to accept a government offer and leased 16 hectares of common land at Moore Park. The first Show was held at Moore Park in 1882. In 1891 the Society gained permission to use the prefix 'Royal' and became known as the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales.The Horticultural Society of Victoria was founded by John Pascoe Fawkner in 1849. In 1885 Royal Charter was granted to the Horticultural Society of Victoria, making it the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria. The Society aims to promote amateur horticulture throughout Victoria.

Physical Description

A silver prize medal (89 mm diameter) featuring New South Wales, standing facing, holding a lit torch and a Victor's wreath, around her four children representing the four seasons harvest wheat, carry grapes and; below on three panels art, agriculture and industry are representeed. tend sheep

Obverse Description

New South Wales, standing facing, holding a lit torch and a Victor's wreath, around her four children harvest wheat, carry grapes and; below on three panels art, agriculture and industry are represented. tend sheep; around above, AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES in small letter below HARDY BROTHERS LONDON & SYDNEY

Reverse Description

Around above an olive wreath, PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE; within wreath, HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY / OF VICTORIA / COLLECTION OF / VICTORIAN CROWN FRUIT / SYDNEY 1878

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

It is not known how the medal, awarded not to Mueller but to the Horticultural Society of Victoria, ended up in Mueller's hands. - Prof. R. W. Home 2005

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