Summary

Australia Victoria Ararat
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee 1897 (AD)
Mint: Stokes & Son
Other Details: Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1897 was celebrated the great enthusiasm throughout the British Empire. It prompted many Australian local governments to issue commemorative medals, such as the Shire of Ararat.The Shire of Ararat was established in 1864, seven years after gold had been discovered near the site of the future town of Ararat. Ararat's Canton Lead was one of the world's richest shallow alluvial goldfields, and attracted 20,000 prospectors within weeks of its discovery. Its population in the 1850s included a large proportion of Chinese diggers. The Ararat region also became known for the quality of its wool and its wine industry. Calvert served as Shire President for a long period. A medal naming Calvert as Shire President, as this one does, was also issued in 1887, for Queen Victoria's jubilee. In 1911 he was again named as Shire President, on a medal issued for the coronation of George V and Queen Mary. The former two medals also name J. Maclean as Shire Secretary.

Obverse Description

Veiled bust of Queen Victoria facing left; around above, QUEEN VICTORIA DIAMOND JUBILEE; below, 1897

Reverse Description

At centre within broad rim, SHIRE / OF / ARARAT; around, S. CALVERT, PRESIDENT . J. MACLEAN, SECRETARY

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Calvert served as Shire President for a long period. A medal naming Calvert as Shire President was also issued in 1887, for Queen Victoria's jubilee (Car.1887/74) and 1897, for Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee (Car.1897/15 and 1897/47). In 1911 he was again named as Shire President, on a medal issued for the coronation of George V and Queen Mary (Car.1911/6). -D. Tout-Smith 6/1/2004.

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