Pensions

The concept of pensions seems like such a modern one that it is surprising to learn that even in the early 1800s they were given out. However, people have been applying for financial assistance for a very long time as this pension form, completed in 1838 and sent from Hobart Town, Van Diemens Land, shows.

At ten days sight pay this my third of exchange (my first and second of the same tenor and date not being paid) to my own order seventeen pounds ten shillings being the amount of my pension for the loss of sight of one eye as a Deputy Assistant Commisary General from the 1st of July 1838 to the 30th September 1838 as per Treasury Letters bearing date 2nd August 1828 No 13084 25/7 and my letter of advice of 4th August 1836.

As well pensions, people in the 1800s also applied for travel concessions, as the following document sent to The Treasurer of the Navy (London) demonstrates:

Three days after sight of this my third of exchange (first and second of the same tenor and date unpaid) pay to G Butler Esqr an order the sum of one hundred pounds asking being the amount allowed me as Surgeon Superintendent of the Convict Ship Roslin Castle to provide myself with a passage to England.

Interestingly, all of these forms were written in triplicate and sent on different boats to ensure their safe arrival at their destination.

August 1914

On the 4th of August 1914 the Kaiser addressed the Reichstag following an agreement by the SPD (Social Democratic Party) to vote for war bonds and not to strike. This agreement made the mobilization of the German army possible.

To mark the occasion a commemorative medal was minted featuring the bust of the Kaiser and the words “Ich kenne keine Parteien mehr, ich kenne nur Deutsche 4 Aug 1914” on the obverse and “In aufgedrungener Notwehr, mit reinem Gewissen und reiner Hand ergreifen wir das Schwert” on the reverse.

The two quotes when translated read: "I do not know parties anymore, I only know Germans!" and “In thrust upon self-defense, with pure conscience and pure hand we seize the sword.”

Invasion Medal

Released in 1943, this medal was issued to Italian and German soldiers following their invasion of Africa. It was worn by the soldiers to pay tribute to their allies. However, during the war, the wearing of the medal by German soldiers was believed to have been discontinued.

The obverse of the medal features the Arc of Fileni and words in German and Italian commemorating the invasion. It also features a swastika and a fascist symbol. The reverse features two soldiers fighting a crocodile as well as the name of the artist responsible for the design. It is believed that the crocodile represents the British.

Emergency Pound

Previously we have discussed emergency coins that were issued due to a shortage in the actual coins. Well, a similar thing happened during World War 1 regarding the one pound note.

With a shortage of one pound notes after the beginning of the war, this ‘emergency’ note was issued in late 1914 to help solve the problem. However, this note was withdrawn in early 1915 as it was very easy to forge and now, only a few remain.

Also known as the Rainbow Pound, this blue and orange note reads: Australian Note. The Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia promises to pay the Bearer One Pound in gold coin on demand at the Commonwealth Treasury at the seat of government.

New Guinea

When Australia was administrator of the territory of New Guinea a series of coins were struck for use in the country. These coins, struck at the mint in London and Melbourne, feature the usual Commonwealth denominations: threepence, sixpence, shilling, halfpenny and penny.

This set of New Guinea coins is the finest known and features all 13 coins minted for circulation, with several in proof condition. Included amongst this selection is a very interesting 1936 penny which was minted up for the reign of Edward VII but withdrawn after Edward VIII left the throne.

In addition to the 13 coins are two 1937 coins (a threepence and a sixpence) that are unique in private hands. In fact the sixpence is the only one in the world and the only other threepence is in the British Museum. These coins are patterns and were minted to demonstrate what the 1937 coins would look like. However, 1938 began before they could be minted and as such they were never made.

The DLRG

The DLRG, or the Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (the German Lifesaving Association) was formed in 1913 following the collapse of a crowded pier the year before.

During World War 2, people who were being trained by (or who had already been trained by) the DLRG wore lapel pins to identify the fact that they were skilled in water rescue.

The pins were issued in various metals (gold, bronze, brass) and some were marked on the reverse. However, they all featured the same design; an eagle on a rock looking out to sea. The pins were separated into four categories: Grundschein, Leistungsschein, Lehrschein and Prüfungsschein depending on the level of life saving proficiency the bearer had achieved.

Members of the DLRG were ineligible to receive the rare German Life Saving medal, which was awarded to people who saved the lives of others in water, as they had been trained in this specific task.