Mining Memorabilia -Paranumismatics (Part III)
The final group of mining paranumismatics commonly encountered can loosely be described under the title of "Medals & Awards".
This final category includes a diverse range of items including;
Mines Rescue or First Aid/Ambulance Team Long Service Medals. These awards typically commemorate 5, 10 and 15 years continuous service as a member of an mines approved rescue or ambulance team etc. Mines rescue and first aid competition winners medals etc. also make up a large proportion of this particular grouping.
Obverses of two Mines Rescue long service awards. Bronze 5 YEAR medal awarded to a Cleveland Ironstone Miner from North Skelton Mine , dated 1947. The silver 15 YEAR medal was issued to a County Durham collier from Morrison Busty North Pit, dated 1963. (Actual size 33mm).
Commemorative medallions to celebrate a certain event in a company's or mine's history, e.g. a visit of dignitaries, the celebration of a record production tonnage, the sinking of a new shaft or the first poring of metal etc. Also mine centenary or closure commemorative medals.
An enamelled membership fob of the North of England Institute of Mining & Mechanical Engineers. Note the central image of the Stephenson flame safety lamp. Actual size 26 mm by 38 mm. Hall marked silver.
Mining Institute membership fobs and past president medals.
Obverse of a tin medallion bearing the image of a typical Cornish engine house. This medal was one of many issued to raise funds for the unsuccessful attempt to financially rescue Cornwall's last tin mine, South Crofty, in 1997 (Actual size 35 mm in diameter by 5 mm thick).
Medals issued by miners groups in commemoration or support of a strike or union struggle.
Mine closure medals.
White metal medal/ticket of 1858 to commemorate an ox roast feast paid for by local subscription for striking colliers in the Oldham district of Lancashire. The obverse displays an ox accompanied by the legend "The Labourer Is Worthy Of His Hire" plus "Roast Whole Nov. 22nd 1858". The reverse bears the legend "In Commemoration Of The Feast To The Colliers Given As A Mark Of Public Sympathy & Respect For Their Conduct On Strike". (Actual size 31.5mm).
Presentation medals for long service, retirement or even as a mark of service to the country (.i.e. in honour of miners returning from the Great War of 1914-18).
Presentation medals for service to the mining industry, presentation of technical papers at industrial conferences, conference attendance medals and academic achievement awards.
A white metal presentation medal bearing the obverse legend "NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLIERY MANAGERS" plus the manufacturers signature "VAUGHTONS BIRM" (Actual size 56 mm in diameter by 5 mm thick).
Awards for bravery in the event of a mine disaster or subsequent rescue attempt.
Commemorative medallions issued by individual mines or mining companies to celebrate a local or national event (e.g. a monarch's Jubilee/ Coronation celebrations or the ending of a war etc.).
Obverse and reverse designs of a white metal alloy medal commissioned by the Denaby Main Coal Company in commemoration of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebrations of 1887. (Actual size 38.5mm).