Historical information

This medal commemorates the coronation of King George VI and Elizabeth as monarchs on the British throne, to be held on May 12th, 1937.

The medal is one of over 300,000 distributed to school children as a memento of the occasion. The obverse shows the busts of King George VI and Elizabeth facing left. The reverse shows Victoria's Coat of Arms, the official heraldic symbol, with the Southern Cross on a shield, above it is a kangaroo facing left and holding a crown. The supporting figure on the left holds an olive branch of 'peace' and the supporter on the right holds a cornucopia horn of 'plenty', together representing the text on the ribbon between them 'Peace & Planty' symbol of 'prosperity'.

On May 7th, 1937 each school child in Victoria, Australia, received a medal commemorating the upcoming coronation of King George VI and Elizabeth, to be held on May 12th, 1937. medals totalling 318,200 were distributed to scholars in 2,781 Victorian schools. Each school received a letter from the Governor, Lord Humingfield, detailing the significance of the occasion. Lessons on the day focused on the meaning behind the medal, and children recited their Allegiance to the King, saluted the flag bearing the Union Jack and Southern Cross, and sang Australila's then National Anthem "God Save the King", which today is sung as the Royal Anthem.

Significance

The medal is significant for connecting Victoria, and Australia, to the British Commonwealth and the sovereignty of the British throne, in Australia's post-Federation years.
It shows the importance placed by the Government of Australia in educating the generation of students in 1937 about Australia's place in the Commonwealth and the history of Australia.
The history of the medal is socially and politically significant, reflecting the evolution of changes in Australian society.

Physical description

Medal or medallion, bgilt rass, with claw and ring on top. The obverse has the bust of a female and male, co-joined, and the reverse has the Coat of arms of the State of Victoria, which includes a kangaroo above a shield and a supporting figure on either side of the shield. Inscriptions are on both sides of the medal. The medal commemorates the coronation of their Majesties, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, on May 12th 1937.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse, around the circle: "KING GEORGE VI & QUEEN ELIZABETH"
Reverse, around the circle: "TO COMMEMORATE THEIR MAJESTIES' CORONATION / MAY 12TH 1937"
Reverse, within the Coat of Arms: "VICTORIA" "PEACE & PROSPERITY"