English currency before decimalisation in the 1970's consisted of pounds, shillings and pence with twelve pennies to the shilling and twenty shillings to the pound.Coins ranged from farthings which were one quarter of a penny through to pennies, threepence, sixpence, shillings ,half crowns and crowns. Most coins had a variety of common names such as a " bob" for a shilling a "quid for a pound and a tanner for a sixpence. This coin is the equivalent of five shillings and is known as a crown. The text around the obverse, "Victoria Dei Gratia 1844". On the reverse the text of Regina Fid Def"Britanniarum translates as Queen of Britain and defender of the faith.The text around the edge, DECUS ET TUTAMEN ANNO REGNI VIII translates as " an ornament and a safeguard. Coins were thus stamped in an effort to reduce the incidence of penny pinching whereby small amounts of precious metal were shaved from the edge of coins and still passed as full value coins.This coin was minted in the eighth year of the reign of one of England's longest ruling monarchs.It is of historical and social significance with the study of coins having considerable interest for many people. Large silver coin with image of Queen Victoria on the obverse or heads side of the coin and a coat of arms with crown at the top surrounded by a wreath of leaves is on the reverse. Text is around the edge of both sides with text also stamped into the edge of the coin as well. Obverse " Victoria Dei Gratia 1844." Reverse "Regina Fid Def"Britanniarum"On edge of coin is "DECUS ET TUTAMEN ANNO REGNI VIII english coins, coin half crown, english coin crown, warrnambool

E.J Barker was Principal of Ballarat School of Mines which is a prdecessor of Federation University.1 2 Typed letters from E.J. Barker to Crown Law Offices. .2 Typed letter from R. Glennister of the Crown Law Officese.j. barker, school of mines ballarat, r. glennister, secretary to the law department, crown law offices, law department victoria, books and court records, court house building