Summary
Bronze medal commissioned by the Numismatic Association of Victoria, inscribed H.Park. Designed by Michael Meszaros in 1976 and minted by the Paris Mint.
The Paul Simon Memorial Award was established in 1977 by Mrs Jessica Simon of Ballarat in memory of her late husband, a keen numismatist. The award was established to recognise outstanding contributions to numismatic societies and clubs. Designed by renowned medallist Michael Meszaros, the reverse of the medal shows a hand holding an Israeli coin with a menorah and Hebrew inscription, illustrating Paul Simon's love of his people and his religion. Nominations for the award were invited from societies and clubs throughout Australia each year, and were collated by State representatives on an Award Committee. Winners were announced in the Australian Coin Review each year.
Paul Simon was a leading authority on gold coinage of the world and a major collector. He was a former President of the Numismatics Association of Victoria and a Fellow of the Royal Numismatic Society of London. An amateur geologist and gold fossiker, Simon was also director of the former Stone's Style Drapery Store in Ballarat, was President of the Bridge Street Traders' Association in Ballarat and operated other businesses in Melbourne and Horsham. He was also an active member of the Ballarat Synagogue. Simon hoped to see a gold museum established in Ballarat, and in 1976 the Gold Museum was opened at Sovereign Hill. His collection was donated to the Museum by his widow Jessica, and a wing of the Museum was named the Jessica and Paul Simon Gold Pavilion.
This medal was inscribed in error. Ray Jewell, Foundation President of the Numismatic Association of Australia, had been talking to Hayden Park on the telephone just before he made the arrangements to have the medal inscribed. He accidentally gave Park's name instead of the name of the correct recipient, Haydn Powell. The incorrectly engraved medal was given to Museum Victoria, and another medal inscribed. The new medal was presented to Powell in late 1986 or early 1987.
Physical Description
A bronze medal (67 mm diameter) featuring a profile head of Paul Simon by Michael Meszaros and a hand holding a large Israeli coin
Obverse Description
Head of Paul Simon. Beneath head, MICHAEL MESZAROS 1976 / [monogram] Around: PAUL SIMON MEMORIAL AWARD
Reverse Description
Hand holding medal. On the image of a medal is a menorah (seven -branched candlestick] with Hebrew letters beneath and laurel wreath either side. On left of medal image is inscribed ISRAEL. On the right are Hebrew letters. On right side MICHAEL MESZAROS 1976 [monogram]
Edge Description
Engraved H. PARK - WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1986 ~ NO. 16
Significance
For over half a century, sculptors Andor (1900-1973) and Michael (1945- ) Meszaros have created medals that reflect the high points of life in Australia. From major awards and portraits of eminent Australians to artwork celebrating popular culture and the natural world, these objects illuminate our culture and history. Grounded in a centuries-old European art tradition, the medals create connections across disciplines and link such diverse subjects as scientific advances, religious themes, sport, the performing arts and motherhood. Through their public and private commissions and their personal artworks, the Meszaros sculptors have defined the modern Australian medal.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Public Life & Institutions, Numismatics & Philately, Migration & Cultural Diversity
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Numismatic Association of Australia
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Date Issued
1986 AD
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Issued By
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Artist
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Commissioned By
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Mint
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Person Depicted
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Person Named
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Other Association (See Comments)
Haydn Powell, Western Australia, Australia, 1986
Medal No 16 originally intended to be awarded to Powell, but incorrectly inscribed. -
Series
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Material
Bronze
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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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Diameter
67 mm (Outside Diameter)
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Shape
Round
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References
[Catalogue] Sharples, John P. 1990. Medals as Art: Australia and the Meszaros Tradition.
[Article] Jewell, Ray T. 1986. Michael Meszaros: The Man and his Medals. Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. 2: 4-24.
[Article] Seymour, Frank. 1997. The Paul Simon Memorial Award Medallion. Australian Numismatic Journal. 38
[Article] 1977. The Paul Simon Memorial Award. Australian Coin Review. 14 (1): 11.
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Keywords
Coin Collecting, Collectors, Medals, Numismatic Awards, Religions: Judaism