COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23669, 29 November 1938, Page 5

COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—ln the course of researches involved in compiling a book on Australian commemorative medals, I have seen a small medal (ljin in diameter) hearing the inscription: "To Celebrate the Jubilee of Otago Settlement, 1898," "March. 1849," and a picture of a ship in sail. The other side of the medal is unusual, due probably to the use of the wrong die in striking, for it bears the inscription "To Commemorate Their Majesties' Coronation. June 22, 1911, New South Wales Celebrations." with the New South Wales coat of arms. I shall be grateful if you or any of vour readers can inform me as to what is the correct design for the Otago jubilee medal. If anyone has a copy to spare I should like to posses one I am. etc., Herbert E. E. Hayes The Vicarage; Mernda. Victoria. [On the occasion of the jubilee of the settlement of Otago souvenir medals were issued for general sale to the

public. One of these carries the Wqrds "A Souvenir. The -Jubilee of Qtago 1548-98." In the background is,a representation of spires of ■ Dunedin. and mastheads. On the reverse side- are the words ''Arrivalof .the John*Wickliffe. 1848," the background being a representation of the Lower Harbour and the figure of a Maori with flax, cabbage trees, and ferns. We have not been able to locate. one bearing the inscription mentioned in our correspondent's letter, and as the jubilee year was March, 1898, the date of the arrival of the first ship was March, 1848. The other side of the medal has obviously no relation to events in Otago history. A medal was struck in 1908 bearing the words "Otago Diamond Jubilee 1848-1908," the reverse being mountains, flax a kiwi, and tree fern, with the words "In Commemoration " below.—Ed. O.D.T.]