Guide to Medals from US Expositions

Sydney 1879 International Exposition Award Medal

The main prize medals awarded were a large and a small bronze, with large and small silver mainly serving as thanks to office bearers and the organisers of displays of especial note. 5,550 medals issued.

 
   

International Exposition in Sydney New South Wales 1879 Award

 

In 1879, the World's Fair was held in Sydney, New South Wales. There were two sizes of bronze medals produced the small 77.5 g 51 mm and the larger 223 g 76 mm copper alloy award medal, diameter 6mm. Above is the large medal. The medal was produced by the British company, Wyon and exhibits the superb quality typical of this company. NSW Austrilia.

 
1879 Small Silver Award Medal - 51mm diameter, depth 4.5 mm. The medal was designed by Samuel Begg with modifications by the engravers J.S. and A.B. Wyon. The dies for the medal were made in London by J S & A B Wyon, struck in the Sydney Mint.

1879 Gold Award Medal - 50 mm. It is thought only around 10 examples of the gold medal were produced at the Sydney Mint, for presentation to heads of State and special dignitaries.

Award Medal case: The medals were accompanied by a square hinged case with a blue leatherette exterior and an orange satin and blue velvet interior.
More about the award medals: The medals all featured the same obverse (front) design by Samuel Begg and Australian floral reverse by James Sayers. The main prize medals awarded were a large and a small bronze, with large and small silver mainly serving as thanks to office bearers and the organisers of displays of especial note. Heads of state were presented with a small gold medal of which the Official Record notes 36 were allocated: a specimen (N20845) is in the Powerhouse collection. The certificate (or diploma) featured the exhibit type, name of the exhibitor and award level and so was considered the principal honour of the Exhibition. For this reason an exhibitor received one for every prize exhibit, but only one medal regardless of the number of prize-winning exhibits. This explains why out of 7,554 certificates awarded, the medals only totalled 5,550. Source: www.powerhousemuseum.com
 

Expo Medals Home 1876 1893 1895 1897 1901-1902 1904 1907 1909 1915
1915SD 1939
also 1881 1883 1887 1898
1900 Paris, 1851 London 1896 Belgium

Favorite Links For Collecting Medals
Medal Collectors
E-Sylum
Expo Medals
So Called Dollars
So-calleddollars.com


If you would like a link to your Ebay or other listing, contribute images for this site. Medal Dealers

Copyright 2007-2009 ExpoMedals.com