SMS Emden commemorative medal minted from Eight Reales coin
Object No. 92/1279
Commemorative medal, sinking of the SMS Emden (1914), minted from Eight Reales coin, silver, minted by Casa de Moneda de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, 1878, reminted by W. Kerr, Sydney, New South Wales, issued by Department of Defence, Australia, 1918
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Summary
Physical Description
Commemorative medal, sinking of the German S.M.S. Emden by the HMAS Sydney, off the Cocos Islands, on November 9, 1914. Silver 1878 Mexican dollar (8 reales) converted into a medal on authority of the Defence Department by Sydney jeweller W. Kerr and issued in 1918. Obverse: eagle on cactus holding snake surrounded by issuing country. Reverse: Radiant Liberty cap surrounded by denomination, mint and year. Dollar is surmounted by the King's crown, ribbons with inscription, and a suspension loop with ring at the top.
DIMENSIONS
Height
2 mm
Diameter
38 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
W. Kerr, Watchmaker & Jeweller of Sydney, converted the mexican dollars seized from the Emden in 1914 for the Australian Navy Board. The Emden medals were not issued until 1918.
HISTORY
Notes
The contents of the German raider S.M.S. Emden's treasury consisting of Mexican dollars were seized by the HMAS Sydney as prize money. Of the original 6,429 dollars, the Australian Navy Board had 1,000 mounted as medals, 996 distributed to the crew of the Sydney, to admiralty, distinguished persons, libraries, museums, historical societies, etc. both in England and Australia, and the remaining 4,433 melted down at the Sydney Mint and the proceeds of œ1,070 donated to the Royal Australian Navy Relief Fund.
SOURCE
Credit Line
E A & V I Crome Collection, 1992
Acquisition Date
13 September 1992
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