Collection
Western Australian Centenary Medal, 1929
100 years since the establishment of the Swan River Colony
The Perth Mint
On display in the Special Occasions: Events to be remembered display case.
In 1927, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary since the establishment of the Swan River Colony, Deputy Master Frank Allum and his successor, Hugh Corbet, proposed to issue a commemorative medal.
The obverse of the medal features a bust of King George V, designed by Sir Bertram Mackennal, an Australian sculptor and medallist living in England.
Obverse Western Australian Centenary Medal
Credit: The Perth Mint
Several design proposals were submitted for the reverse but The Royal Mint eventually asked English heraldic artist George Kruger Grey for a proposal. His design of a black swan, the bird emblem of Western Australia, was chosen.
Reverse Western Australian Centenary Medal
Credit: The Perth Mint
The active swan with outstretched wings was felt to capture the spirit and character of Western Australia at the time. When ownership of the Mint was transferred from Britain to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970 the design became the official logo of The Perth Mint. The black swan still remains central to the logo of The Perth Mint, but the design has been modernised into an elegant stylised depiction.