COOK MEDALLION

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31774, 3 September 1968, Page 20

COOK MEDALLION

To commemorate the bicentenary of Captain James Cook, the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne Savings Bank is to issue a special commemorative medallion. The medallion will be of polished gilded bronze and highlighted. Limited numbers will be struck in silver, and a special issue in Sterling silver will have a gold outline of the Endeavour. These special issues will be in a presentation case. The Savings Bank asked Mr James Berry, who designed New Zealand’s decimal coinage, to design the medallion. “I felt a simple design of Cook’s famous ship, the Endeavour, would be the most suitable subject, with stylised wave treatment below the ship,” said Mr Berry.

Much research was put into a suitable commemorative piece and extreme care was taken with design work. Slight alterations were made to the die after the first proofs were struck and the finished medals will be a lasting reminder of Cook’s famous rediscovery of New Zealand. Permanent Reminder For centuries now, coins and medals have been the most imperishable means of commemoration. The greatest knowledge of the ancient times of Greece and Rome around 2000 years ago and since have come from coins and medals. This medal will provide a constant reminder for generations to come of the Captain Cook bi-centenary celebrations.

Numismatics throughout New Zealand, and the world, will no doubt prize this medal as a collector’s piece. This is the first occasion that a Bank in New Zealand has produced such a medal. Although Mr Berry is probably best known for his valuable contribution to New Zealand as the designer of our decimal currency, he also designed the 1947 Fiji 12 sided threepence, the 1949 New Zealand Crown and the Cook Commemorative Dollars to be issued in 1969.

Mr Berry’s achievements in his particular field have been honoured in many ways. He was made a Fellow of he Royal Numismatical Society of New Zealand in 1959 and was the society’s president in 1961-1962.