A recent acquisition to my eclectic collection of things designed by coin designers. I guess it's almost a coin, the right shape but a badge. This is an early War Widows Guild badge in Sterling silver, the design by Andor Meszaros.
(http://www.australian-threepence.com/images/war-widows-badge-meszaros.jpg)
actually don't mind that and would make an ok coin :) thanks for sharing PP :good:
beautiful
do you know who made it?
Amor? etc
Its by KG Luke of Melbourne, it's numbered too! Maybe I shouldn't have it because it says Property of War Widows Guild. They're not too hard to find for sale though but don't get caught by the later "model" which is smaller, not silver and has an evil looking Kookaburra. Like this one. (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUSTRALIAN-WAR-WIDOWS-GUILD-KOOKABURRA-BADGE-/251228145504?nma=true&si=aXw5VC%252BvPQNgqgWHnchof1t46Es%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)
ha ha - evil kookas!!
thanks - it is a great looking badge
and of course an iconic designer/engraver (?) as well
you'd think he would have used that for one of his decimal series submission
I just watched an episode of Bargain Hunt Australia and a 1951 CuproNickel version of the WWG Badge went for $100.
"Korea Campaign Cupronickel War Widows Guild Badge by Andor Meszaros (1951). It was $125 – they paid $60 for it and it sold at auction for $100 making them a $40 profit."
http://www.lifestyle.com.au/diy/bargain-hunt-australia-episode-four.aspx
Scroll about halfway down the page until you see the Badge. I forgot to look at the year the programme was made. :dash1:
A different version to the 2 showed to us by PPH. It had the date under the Kooka, but it can't be seen in the picture.
This one (next Downies auction) has the date about 1 o'clock. Mine may have a date but it's moosh.
(http://downies.com/aca/Auction314/aca/images/lots/314/712.jpg)
The date may have been in that position, I just assumed it was at the bottom when they zoomed in on it. Do Downies state what the composition is?
Lot 712 and 713
Downies auction (http://downies.com/aca/Auction314/Catalogue_017.html#BADGES,%20BROOCHES%20&%20FOBS)
No they don't say. Mine also has a number on the back. I guess those are early strikes or test strikes and not issued hence the strong features.
http://www.warwidowsnsw.com.au/About_the_Guild/Guild_Badge.htm
Excellent article! Thanks Rg!
It looks like the 1951 dated ones are Stg Silver then. :yahoo:
Oh dear I've bought another one, this time it's in a box (note it fits in the box, I just have my sizing off). Now I'm not certain I can tell which of these is silver as they aren't hallmarked. It has the pinches london and the pin on the back just like the Downies one's. I don't think this one has ever been worn, the pin is perfect.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/war-widows-badge-with-box.jpg)
Those medals look real nice.
Quote from: 'purplepennyhunter' pid='34997' dateline='1385031791'Now I'm not certain I can tell which of these is silver as they aren't hallmarked.
If you can draw a line on a piece of paper with the edge of the medal (it looks like a pencil line), then it is probably silver.
Quote from: 'Triggersmob' pid='35012' dateline='1385036797'Those medals look real nice.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't medals have ribbons rather than pins?
Quote from: 'Fulvio' pid='35023' dateline='1385040288'Quote from: 'Triggersmob' pid='35012' dateline='1385036797'Those medals look real nice.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't medals have ribbons rather than pins?
Sorry, typed the wrong word, of course it should be badge. Cheers.
Another way to check if it's silver is to place a known silver coin, plus a CuNi coin plus the Badge under a single white tissue.
Silver will show through as white, CuNi will be grey, and the badge should be one or the other. If the tissue is thick, you might need to separate it and just use one ply. Not very scientific but it usually works on most silver.
Silver v Cupro Nickel, silver coin is on the right.
(http://i40.tinypic.com/30rxkdg.jpg)
OK we've completely cleared that up now. :nea:
According to Triggers' suggestion it does draw a line so it's silver.
According to Nancys' suggestion it looks copper-nickel under the tissue.
It has some toning that might have impaired the experiment under the tissue.
I also tried Steve's method and it worked. :angel:
Mark did a specific gravity test and it suggests it's silver.
Quote from: 'purplepennyhunter' pid='35047' dateline='1385076304'Mark did a specific gravity test and it suggests it's silver.
We measured it at 10.6. Given that copper and nickel have an SG of about 9 and silver is 10.5 it's safe to assume it's silver.
Well this discussion has educated , not only me, but may I suggest a lot of others who are reading these comments.
Now I have learnt how to positively identify things that are silver from those that aren't.
Many thanks on and all.
The tissue trick is a bit less reliable with coins with a low % of silver in them. :angel:
I have tried the tissue test but it does not seem entirely reliable
but it might be dependent on the amount of bleach and stuff in the tissue as well
by the way - lovely badge pp
Maybe we need to add this to the Wiki.
good idea!