Historical information
The Medal, Presentation Box and Certificate from Buckingham Palace are a very important addition to Council’s History and Heritage collection because of their association with a past Mayor of the City of Caulfield Harry Carl Hortin Smith.
Although a total of 85,234 Jubilee medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, only a handful of these medals survive in major Australian museum collections. The National Museum of Australia holds a similar medal which was awarded to Sir Robert Menzies. The Museum of Victoria also holds a similar medal but neither collection contains a presentation box or certificate from Buckingham Palace.
The significance of the donation is greatly enhanced due to its good condition and the fact that it includes all items associated with the presentation the Medal. Most museum collections only include the jubilee medal. Together these unique historical objects tell a complete story of this important event which was cause for great celebration around the world.
Physical description
George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935. Round silver medal with attached loop and red ribbon with blue and white stripes on the edges. Awarded to Harry, Carl, Hortin Smith Mayor of the City of Caulfield. A total of 85,234 Jubilee medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V.
Inscriptions & markings
OBVERSE: Conjoined half-length busts of King George V and Queen Mary wearing crowns and robes of state; around, GEORGE . V . AND . QUEEN . MARY . MAY . VI . MCMXXXV.
REVERSE: A crowned monogram GRI (Translation - George King and Emperor) with the dates of his reign at either side, MAY 6 1910 May 6 1935.
