An exceptionally rare 18th-century ceramic medallion produced to commemorate the founding of modern Australia will be sold live and online by Edinburgh auctioneers, Lyon & Turnbull.

The Sydney Cove Medallion, valued between £30,000 and £50,000, is slightly smaller than a digestive biscuit.

It was made in 1789 from clay which was dug up at Sydney Cove, now Sydney Harbour.

The clay was sent back to Britain in a box to Sir Joseph Banks at the Royal Society.

The famous explorer and naturalist had travelled on Captain Cook's first voyage to New South Wales on board Endeavour in 1770.

Banks then sent a sample of the clay to revolutionary British potter and industrialist, Josiah Wedgwood, for experimentation.

The medallion is being sold on Wednesday November 16 as part of Lyon & Turnbull's two-day long Five Centuries sale.

This original artefact is a direct link to the voyage of what became known as The First Fleet under Captain Arthur Phillip.

The fleet consisted of 11 ships and carried more than 850 convicts.

It dropped anchor at Sydney Cove on January 26 1788, where a penal colony was to be established.

This marked the beginning of the European settlement in Australia.

The Sydney Cove Medallion depicts a classically inspired scene in which the figure of Hope, dressed in Grecian robes, extends her right hand towards the figures of Art and Labour, under the influence of Peace.

Hope encourages them to work for the prosperity of the new young settlement.

Henry Webber designed the medallion for Wedgwood, while his principle modeller, William Hackwood, finished the moulds.

It is believed that around two dozen medallions were produced.

The whereabouts of 12 medallions is currently known.

To read the complete article, see:
Rare medal that commemorates founding of modern Australia to be auctioned in Edinburgh(https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/3875731/rare-medal-that-commemorates-founding-of-modern-australia-to-be-auctioned-in-edinburgh/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
FEATURED WEB PAGE: THE SYDNEY COVE MEDALLION(https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n11a26.html)
CONNECTIONS OF THAT SYDNEY COVE MEDALLION(https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n12a14.html)