| Author |
 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,007 |
|
|
Valued Member
Australia
70 Posts |
Hello all, Buying some pennies from someone the other week, I got this in my lot. Now I don't know much, infact I am very new to medals, medalets, etc...  I checked out Google (as one does) I found this page: http://cas.awm.gov.au/heraldry/REL31083The info given says: Medalets like these were produced to raise funds for comforts for Australian troops sent to the Boer War. This particular medalet was issued in white metal, gilded bronze or silver, the silver version being the highest priced of the three.Now as you can see the one I have looks to be made from copper. As I say, I am really new to this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jacko |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
1040 Posts |
Jacko, Bronze is 97% copper, so that part checks out. Not sure about the gilded part though, could have simply worn off after all this time. The hole may mean it was worn as jewellery, helping to remove the gilding. Assuming this is the gilding they are talking about.
There is also a technique of preparing bronze to give it the 'appearance' of gold, which is called gilt bronze. Again, time will diminish this effect.
|
|
Moderator
 Australia
16849 Posts |
It's gilded, or at least, it was. If you look in the crevices and protected areas on your medal, you can still see the yellowish remnants of the gilding. It's particularly noticeable around the horse's legs and behind the horseman's hat.
It's quite common to find "gilded" medals where the gilding has worn away, or otherwise been removed. Naturally, an item with it's gilding still fully intact is worth more.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
|
|
Valued Member
 Australia
70 Posts |
Sean: The hole is from the ribbon, it was originally given with. But I don't have that or the hoop. The site said many used them as jewellery, I can imagine why. They are nice especially the Veiled head Queen Victoria. I always loved that portrait. Also, I'm not terribly good with metals, so I had no idea that Bronze had even any Copper, let alone 97% of it being Copper. Thankyou to for that bit of info. Will definately come in handy in the future =o)
Sap: I see what you mean, I can see it now. (Sticks out like dogs b@||s!!) Thankyou for pointing that out. Don't know why I didn't spot that, I guess I was overwhelmed by the Copper coloured appearance.
I really appreciate the help guys =o)
Jacko
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I like that one!  To my eyes, the lettering and design has the "right look" for that period. Now that Sap mentions it--I see the gilding too. Edited by DVCollector
10/28/2009 3:01 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day, when you see the word "jewellery" in this context, think of the sort of badges, ribands, etc that we are invited to wear on ANZAC Day, Armistice Dat, etc, etc. There were quite a few contingents from Oz to Seth Efrika: most were funded by the various colonial governments; but some were recruited "privately", such as the NSW Bushmen's Corps. Back in Oz, there was some opposition to sending troops overseas [see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Bournes_Higgins], and medalets such as this served to raise funds for comforts for the troops, but also for the wearer to align herself or himself with the orthodox politics of 1900. So, you have an interesting momento of Australian and imperial political history. Numismatics opens so many doors to us ... Peter in Darwin |
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
585 Posts |
If you are interested in Australian medals,
I would strongly recommend this beautiful book.
Your medalet is there under n. 1900/3, Price Guide A$ 15,-
|
|
Valued Member
119 Posts |
This is the one I just sold (it is silver):   |
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
1295 Posts |
That's quite a nose on that portrait of Vicky!
|
| |
Replies: 8 / Views: 2,007 |
|
Posted 10/28/2009 04:23 am
