Historical information

This gilt bronze medal was issued to school children to commemorate the opening of the first Australian Federal Parliament which opened in Melbourne on 9 May, 1901.

Significance

This item was used to commemorate an important Australian historical event.

Physical description

A gilt bronze medal in a shield shape with a crown at the top. On on the obverse side are images of Queen Victoria and Edward VII and an inscription. On the reverse side are images of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York and an inscription.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse side at top: "AUST. COMMONWEALTH/EST. 1 JAN. 1901/63D of VICTORIA, R.I". Below the images "FIRST PARLIAMENT OPENED/MAY 1902/1ST of EDWARD VII. Along the bottom rim: WA TAS NSW VIC SA QLD.
Reverse side at the top:" OPENING OF THE FIRST /FEDERAL PARLIAMENT". Below the images: "T.R.H/ THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF CORNWALL/AND , MAY 1904"