Summary

Australia New South Wales Sydney
Metropolitan Intercolonial Exhibition Commemorative 1877 (AD)
Mint: Stokes & Martin
Other Details: A medal struck in white metal to commemorate the Metropolitan Intercolonial Exhibition, Sydney. It depicts the Intercolonial exhibition building constructed in 1870 (demolished 1954) and has a portrait of Sir Hercules Robinson, president of the 1877 Exhibition Committee. The medal is holed and probably originally had a loop with ribbon as it was intended to be worn. Sir Hercules had been governor of New South Wales since 1872. Robinson was not content to be a mere figurehead, and his active role in politics saw him play a valuable role in the development of responsible government in New South Wales. However, his attitude to colonial institutions was essentially paternalistic, more suited to a crown colony than a semi-independent, albeit fledgling, democracy. He tended to antagonize parliament, but he was publicly popular, in part because he had developed a flair for public speaking in which he extolled popular themes such as manly sports.

Physical Description

A medal struck in white metal to commemorate the exhibition. It depicts the Intercolonial exhibition building constructed in 1870 and has a portrait of Sir Hercules Robinson who was president of the 1877 Exhibition Committee. The medal is holed and probably originally had a loop with ribbon as it was intended to be worn.

Obverse Description

Head of Sir Hercules Robinson facing r., Artist initials I.H. on truncation; around on inner circle, SIR HERCULES ROBINSON K.C.M.G. : PRESIDENT: around on wide rim, METROPOLITAN INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION. 1877

Reverse Description

Exhibition building at Prince Alfred Park; in exergue: EXHIBITION / NEW SOUTH WALES; on Exergue line: STOKES & MARTIN [MEDALLISTS];

Edge Description

Plain

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