Melbourne General Post Office – The Numismatic Association of Victoria

Medallion No. 6

1959

Image courtesy of Downies

Event Commemorated

This medallion was issued to commemorate the centenary of the Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) General Post Office (GPO).

Medallion

This 38 mm diameter medallion was designed by W E Curran (of the NAV) and struck by K G Luke, Melbourne in the following metals:

Bronze (40, numbered 1 to 40)
Oxidised silver (30, numbered 41 to 70)

All medals were individually numbered.

A lead trial strike exists showing both obverse and reverse. An official presentation of a bronze medallion was made to the Postal Department.

The obverse design features two shields, the left with a view of the Melbourne GPO in 1859 and the right with a view of the building in 1959, with a representation of mercury (Roman messenger of the gods); the legend below the shields is “. NUMISMATIC . ASSN . OF . VICTORIA”

The reverse has the legend “STRUCK TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTENARY OF THE G.P.O. MELBOURNE : NOW THE ELIZABETH ST. P.O.” (around), with “~ BUILDING ~ COMMENCED 3.7.1856 1^ST STAGE COMPLETED 1857 ~ RECONSTRUCTION ~ COMMENCED 1890 COMPLETED 1895 HEIGHT GROUND TO TOP OF TOWER – 199 FT.” (in centre in eight lines).