First World War Memorial Plaque Replica (2018), Coin from Australia - detailed information

Medals are a form of "exonumia" - objects related to coinage but not coins themselves. such are, for example, the medals included in many Royal Mint proof sets. They do not have any "face value" and are not tokens either, but can still be of interest to coin collectors.

Tokens were used in the past as a sort of privately issued money. This is no longer the case, but mints and other entities now strike medal-like objects they call "tokens".

The First World War Memorial Plaque, or "Dead Man’s Penny" as it is commonly known, is a commemorative medallion which was presented to the next-of-kin of the soldiers, sailors, and nurses who died while serving in the Australian Imperial Force or Royal Australian Navy during the First World War.

The bronze medallion features an image of Lady Britannia surrounded by two dolphins and a lion. Around the outer edge of the medallion is the inscription "He died for freedom and honour".

The full name of the dead soldier was engraved on the right hand side of the plaque. No rank, unit or decorations are shown, befitting the equality of the sacrifice made by all casualties.

This replica plaque is 120 mm in diameter, which is the same size as the original medallion.