Go Back

Colony Of Victoria Miner’s Right [Gold Mining]

1856. Letterpress and ink, inscribed and dated “December 25, 1856” in ink, 20.8 x 22.1cm. Old folds, stains and minor perforations.

This certificate, No. 226, was issued to “Hy [Henry] Bazin” in the district of Creswick for the cost of one pound.

During the mid-19th century the gold output from Victoria was the largest internationally, with the exception of California. Victoria’s greatest yield of gold for one year was in 1856.

The miner’s right licence originated after the Eureka Rebellion, which took place near Ballarat in Victoria during December 1854. The Rebellion was “sparked in part by what miners felt was an unreasonable officiousness of police and inspectors who carried out fortnightly checks on the [gold] fields to ensure that all miners had an expensive gold licence. After the Rebellion, the gold licence was abolished and replaced by a miner’s right, costing one pound per year. Possession of this gave the digger a right to mine gold, and vote in the elections for parliament.” Ref: Museum Victoria; NGA; Wiki.

.
Item #CL201-11

Price (AUD): $1,650.00  other currencies