Summary
Australia Victoria
Christmas 1872 (AD)
Mint: Stokes
Other Details: This small medal was made as a Christmas gift for 1872. It exists in two forms, one with the Christmas wish on one side and the Lord's Prayer on the other, and this one in which the Christmas wish is joined with a portrait of an Aboriginal man, Billi 'Ex: Rex (King) Vict(oria)'. Two other medals of the same size were struck at the mint erected at the Victorian Exhibition, 6 Nov. 1872 - 8 January 1873, showing the same image of Billi on the obverse, but with a coat of arms and reference to the exhibition mint on the reverse. Another medal showing Billi was minted by Stokes and Martin in 1869. Similar depictions of Aborigines appeared on other medals of this period, including two medals issued in 1876, 'Sandy: Ex Rex' and 'Ricketty Dick: Ex Rex'. Ricketty Dick camped on the fringes of settlement in Sydney.
Obverse Description
Bearded Aboriginal head right, around, BILLI EX: REX: VICT. 1872
Reverse Description
A MERRY / CHRISTMAS / AND / A HAPPY NEW YEAR below radiate star
Edge Description
Milled
More Information
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Collection Names
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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
1872 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Person Depicted
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Inscriptions
Milled (edge) Bearded Aboriginal head right, around, BILLI EX: REX: VICT. 1872 (obverse) A MERRY / CHRISTMAS / AND / A HAPPY NEW YEAR (reverse)
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Series
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Material
Copper
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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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Exhibition Collection Management
22 mm (Outside Diameter)
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Shape
Round
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References
Other medals depicting Billi are recorded by Carlisle 1872/1-3. The latter two were struck at the Exhibition Mint.
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Keywords
Aboriginal Depictions, Christmas, Exhibitions, New Year Celebrations
