Summary

Australia Victoria Melbourne
200th Anniversary of the Death of Captain Cook 1979 (AD)
Mint: Stokes Australasia
Numismatic Association of Victoria (NAV)
Other Details: Medal issued by the Numismatic Association of Victoria in 1979 to mark the 200th Anniversary of the death of Captain James Cook. Terry Pepperell and Betty Turvey, designers of the medal, were members of the Association. Only 200 medals were made, all in bronze. On the third voyage of his voyages of discovery Cook, now post-captain, went to explore the Pacific coasts of North America and Siberia. In 1779, at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii, he was involved in a skirmish with the local community during which a chief was killed. Cook shot a man and was himself then killed. The cottage on the medal was brought to Melbourne from Whitby, England, as part of the Melbourne Centenary celebrations in 1935.
Medal features what was said to be Captain Cook's Cottage, brought to Melbourne as part of centennial celebrations in 1934-5. The cottage actually had dubious connections to Cook - he may not even have ever been there, but it belonged to members of his family.

Obverse Description

Captain Cook's Cottage; above at left, NUMISMATIC / ASSOCIATION / OF VICTORIA / 1979; below on plaque, CAPTAIN COOK'S COTTAGE / FITZROY GARDENS MELBOURNE

Reverse Description

Bust of Cook left in oval set above anchor; Cook's autograph at left; below, OBIT OWHYHEE 14TH FEBy. 1779, scene of Hawaiian canoes chasing away two sailing ships

Edge Description

Plain

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