On 9 September 2015, the reigning British monarch Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria's record of 63 years and 216 days. In the past, momentous occasions have been marked with the production of official and unofficial commemorative souvenirs.
There are a number of royal mementos in the Auckland Museum collection. They include mugs, plates, cups and saucers, a handkerchief, cushion and medals.
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
![Sir Edmund Hillary received two coronation medals, including this one which was presented to civilians and military personnel. Gifted by Peter and Sarah Hillary.]()
Sir Edmund Hillary received two coronation medals, including this one which was presented to civilians and military personnel. Gifted by Peter and Sarah Hillary.
Auckland War Memorial Museum - Tāmaki Paenga Hira. 2014.7.6.
Awarded as a personal souvenir to a select list of people both military and civilian, between 130,000 and 140,000 silver medals were issued after Queen Elizabeth was crowned in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.
The rim on these souvenir medals was not impressed.
The news of Mount Everest being successfully conquered by a team led by Colonel John Hunt reached London in time to be announced on Coronation Day. This prompted the Queen to issue a further 37 medals with "Mount Everest Expedition" especially impressed on the rim.
The Museum holds the two coronation medals issued to Sir Edmund Hillary - the standard issue and also the Mount Everest Expedition medal.
Queen Victoria Coronation Medal
Queen Victoria also had a commemorative medal produced – actually, more than one. This particular medal is by Griffin & Hyams, who issued medals in the 1830s -1840s.
![This medal commemorates the coronation of Queen Victoria on 28 June 1838. Gifted by Mr Charles Hutchinson.]()
This medal commemorates the coronation of Queen Victoria on 28 June 1838. Gifted by Mr Charles Hutchinson.
Auckland War Memorial Museum - Tāmaki Paenga Hira. 2007.23.1.
Toy Coach Model
While commemorative medals and coins are commonly produced for such occasions, the commercial souvenir market always offers a range of other commemoratives.
This toy model is of the Gold State Coach that has carried British royalty since George IV to special events including coronations - the coach carried both young Queens Victoria and Elizabeth II to theirs.
Although we have few provenance details to confirm this coach was specifically made to celebrate the coronation, the original box it arrived with matches those produced for the 1953 coronation.
![This toy is a model of the coach that has served British royalty as a means of conveyance to special events.]()
This toy is a model of the coach that has served British royalty as a means of conveyance to special events.
Auckland War Memorial Museum - Tāmaki Paenga Hira. 2003.85.2.
Fostering remembrance
It is human nature to want to mark significant occasions on all social levels. Commemorative items and mementos have always been a popular category of item to collect. The broad range of objects available - including toys, elegant medals, newspapers and spoons - foster remembrance and enable everyone to feel as if they are part of a special occasion.
Cite this article
Lees, Sarndra.
Long live our noble Queen: Events and mementoes. Auckland War Memorial Museum - Tāmaki Paenga Hira. First published: 8 September 2015. Updated: 29 September 2015.
URL: www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/collections/topics/long-live-our-noble-queen
Related objects
-
-
-
cup and saucer, coronation
Description: cup and saucer, commemorative, white ground, decorated with sprays of pink roses and thistles and oval portraits of King George V and Queen Mary, with crown and flags and inscription "1911 King George V Coronation Queen Mary June 22nd"; cup with gold ring around and just inside rim, gold design on decorative handle; saucer with gold on rim
Collection: HUMAN HISTORYDescription: cup and saucer, commemorative, white ground, decorated with sprays of pink roses and thistles and oval portraits of King George V and Queen Mary, with crown and flags and…
-
-
-
-
mug, coronation
Description: mug, commemorative, cream coloured earthenware with transfer printed and painted decoration [Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 2 June 1953]. "A large commemorative "Queen's Ware" (cream coloured earthenware) mug with a short cylindrical from with era-shaped handles; with gilt band to the lower and upper edges ad on each side of the handle; with a transfer printed design in black to the body composed of a lion and unicorn betwixt which is a crown printed over "19 EIIR 53" and a design of leaves down the length of the handle with "God save the Queen" transfer printed in black cover to the upper inner surface" See Reilly, R. and Savage G.E., The Dictionary of Wedgwood, 1980, p. 1979, Antique Collectors' Club Ltd, England.
Collection: HUMAN HISTORYAccession Number: 1989.84Description: mug, commemorative, cream coloured earthenware with transfer printed and painted decoration [Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 2 June 1953]. "A large commemorative "Queen's…
-
-
handkerchief, souvenir
Description: the Prince of Wales and in each corner, the four `possessions' of the British - upper lhs Canada, upper rhs Australia and NZ, lower lhs India, lower rhs South Africa. Title "Souvenir of the Coronation". [Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, 22 Jun 1911]
Collection: HUMAN HISTORYDescription: the Prince of Wales and in each corner, the four `possessions' of the British - upper lhs Canada, upper rhs Australia and NZ, lower lhs India, lower rhs South Africa. Title…
-
-
-
-
-