Summary

Australia Victoria Melbourne
Olympic Commemorative Medal 1956 (AD)
Mint: K.G.Luke
Other Details: The fifth of a series of medals issued by the Numismatic Association of Victoria (NAV), this medal commemorates the 16th Olympic Games, held in Melbourne in 1956. Its obverse represents a Greek coin struck about 300 BC for the 105th Olympiad, with the inscription 'XVI Olympina, Melbourne'. The 'l' was accidently replaced by a Greek lamda, but this has made the medal particularly appealing to collectors.

Physical Description

Lead trial for silver and bronze medals commissioned by the NAV to commemorate the Melbourne Olympic Games, 1956. Copy of ancient coin bearing head, behind an olive branch/ below, XVI / OLYMPINA / MELBOURNE the "L" being a Greek lamda (obverse) IN/THIS MEDAL/WE COMMEMORATE/THE OLYMPIC GAMES/HELD IN MELBOURNE/NOVEMBER 22/TO/DECEMBER 16/1956/NUMISMATIC ASSN OF VICTORIA/K G L(reverse)

Obverse Description

Copy of ancient coin bearing bearded head of Olympian Zeus facing right, behind an olive branch; below, XVI / OLYMPINA / MELBOURNE (the "L" of OLYMPIANA being a Greek lamda)

Reverse Description

IN / THIS MEDAL / WE COMMEMORATE / THE OLYMPIC GAMES / HELD IN MELBOURNE / NOVEMBER 22 / TO / DECEMBER 16 / 1956 / NUMISMATIC ASSN OF VICTORIA / K G L

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

This medal was commissioned by the Numismatic Association of Victoria to commemorate the 1956 Olympic Games. The inclusion of the Greek lamda in place of "L" in OLYMPIANA was a mistake by the artist, but the medal proved very popular as a result.

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