Centenary Medallions: that's 422 red kangaroos
8th May 2001
On 9 May every primary school child in Australia will receive a part of the Royal Australian Mint to keep as their own - a Centenary of Federation medallion.
Over 2 million medallions have now been produced by the Mint. The Mint won the tender for the production against local competition, and designed the special packaging in conjunction with the National Council for the Centenary of Federation. In the short history of our nation, medallions have become a tradition. In 1901, Federation medallions featuring the Duke and Duchess of York were handed out to school students; for the Federation Jubilee in 1951 and the 1988 Bicentenary every student received a commemorative medallion. Now, Australia marks its biggest birthday party with Centenary of Federation medallions.
The total weight of all Centenary Medallions given to primary school children is equal to about 38 tonnes. That's about the weight of 422 red kangaroos!
The facts
- Over 2 million medallions will be handed to students
- 25,000 medallions a day were produced during a few month period The tonnage of the press that struck the medallions is 145 tonnes (this means that every strike was equivalent to the weight of about 100 medium sized cars)
- With a diameter of 38.74mm each, placed next to each other in a chain the medallions could surround the Australian Parliament House about 43 times)
The design
Obverse
On the obverse is the national Centenary of Federation logo, and the wording 'One Hundred Years of Federation'. Designed in a style reminiscent of a signature, the logo represents Australia's identity.
Reverse
The reverse of the medallions was designed by school teacher John Skillington from Albury, NSW. On the reverse the medallion features six children pushing together large blocks to form the outline image of Australia. It is a symbolic representation of six colonies coming together to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
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Centenary of Federation School Medallion - High resolution 1800x1469 pixel JPG |
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The Mint & the Centenary
The Royal Australian Mint produces Australia's circulating and collector coinage, as well as being the licensee of the Centenary of Federation Coin Program. In the second half of 2001, approximately 20 new circulating coins will be released by the Mint as part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations.