Summary

Australia Victoria Eaglehawk
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee 1897 (AD)
Mint: not recorded
Other Details: Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1897, marking 50 years on the throne, was celebrated the great enthusiasm throughout the British Empire. It prompted many Australian local governments and politicians to issue commemorative medals. This medal was issued by the Borough of Eaglehawk, and named E.C. Brown as Mayor. Eaglehawk was a small town eight kilometres outside Bendigo. Its first mine, the rich Eaglehawk Gully, opened in 1852, the year after gold had been discovered in Bendigo. Eaglehawk was established as a Borough in 1862, and became a thriving satellite community of Bendigo. By 1903 it had a population of 8,130, 'numerous hotels', three state schools, two private schools, nine churches, a court of petty sessions, a police station, two mechanics institutes, several organised societies and a park 'hansomely laid out with flower beds and shrubs'. The 'model borough' had 1,862 houses, and streets lit partly with gas and partly with kerosene. Eaglehawk decline in the inter-war years as gold production reduced and Bendigo developed as an economic centre. It has now been absorbed into Greater Bendigo.

Obverse Description

Jugate busts, young & old Queen Victoria; around, QUEEN VICTORIA'S 60TH YEAR OF REIGN + 1837 TO 1897 +; (around rim below dates in tiny letters the mint name:STOKES & SONS

Reverse Description

Within central diamond Royal Arms above Eaglehawl standing facing with wings spread, in background poppet-head and factory; around, EAGLE HAWK E.C. BROWN MAYOR 1897

Edge Description

Plain

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