| Description |
There was a significant Nationalist movement in Australia very much like that in Ireland, but without the extreme violence. This is likely a show of support for their Irish brethren during the time of the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War (1919 / 1922) that finally led to Home Rule for most of the country. The date 1921 fits nicely with this assumption. Australia was settled by a large number of prisoners and displaced Irish peoples due to famine, revolt, and general hardship. Many were Catholic who would have carried their prejudices over from their home country. The reverse shows a vertical line of chisel (?) marks from nearly rim to rim. Their meaning, if any, is unknown. Purchased from Universal Coin Co. / Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. (Mr. 31, 2012) ($3). |
