When I first started working at the National Museum of Australia I was blown away by all the fascinating objects we let the students handle. Some of the objects are replicas, as the conservation team would have a nervous breakdown if we let students handle the artifacts, but some of the objects are the real deal, including a Dead Man’s Penny.
- This medallion commemorates James Michael Dempsey
The Dead Man’s Penny is a commemorative medallion which was presented to the next-of-kin of the men and women who died during World War One. The bronze medallion features an image of Lady Britannia surrounded by two dolphins (representing Britain’s sea power) and a lion (representing Britain) standing over a defeated eagle (symbolising Germany). Around the outer edge of the medallion are the words ‘He died for freedom and honour’. Next to Lady Britannia is the deceased solider’s name, with no rank provided to show equality in their sacrifice. The Dead Man’s Penny was accompanied by a letter from King George V, stating ‘I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War’.
We use the Dead Man’s Penny in our school programs, such ‘Creating a nation’, to encourage students to reflect on the impact of wars on the Australian nation. I always ask students how they would feel if they received a Dead Man’s Penny to commemorate a family member, to encourage them to think about the families left behind as well as the soldiers who died. Students are always surprised to learn that not all families were happy to receive the commemorative medallion, and that there were families who returned the medallions to the Australian Government in protest for the loss of their loved ones.
[edited by Cath to add:
If you have a Dead Man's Penny and want to know more about it, a good place to start is by looking through the service file. I recommend the National Archives' Mapping our Anzacs website, where you can also find a service person by family name.
Good luck!]
Would you know the value of one of these medals? and do you know if any gold ones were produced?
Thanks for your questions John. From the research I undertook the Dead Man’s Pennies were made from bronze. One source stated they were made from brass, but there was no reference to a gold Dead Man’s Penny. In regards to the value of a Dead Man’s Penny, we have not had our medallions valued in recent times, so I am not sure.
Hi ,We have been going through old photo’s etc and one of the things that we had left from my grandfather was a dead man’s penny inscripted with the name of William John Scully. My grand father s name was Lenard Goodsell.Can you help with any feed back as to this or where I can do more research.Thanks for your time.Regards Anthony Flavell
Hi Anthony,
I don’t know if this helps – and maybe you’ve seen it, but William John Scully’s WWI service record confirms that he died in the war (you can tell that instantly by the big ‘D’ on the first page of the record), and lists his NOK as his sister Elizabeth.
I suppose it’s reasonable to assume that your grandfather Lenard knew William. I can’t see a Lenard Goodsell in the WWI service records but there is an Ernest Leonard Goodsell and if you read the letters from his Dad – and his own statement – it seems he was called Lenard.
Is Ernest Leonard your grandfather Lenard?
Thanks for giving this infrmation but i want something more about it please give more information if you can.
Hi Thomas,
The Western Front Association website is a good starting point for further information. Additionally, the Australian War Memorial have a copy of a commemorative letter sent with the Dead Man’s Penny on their website.
Hope this helps.
Hello i am 13 years old and i am doind an assignment for my history class and i was going to bring in my great grandfathers ‘Dead Mans Penny’ unfortunatally i coulndt find it so i really need help with some details. Reguards Chiara Griffiths
hi there,
i’m from holland (my mom was british) she died and so did my grandmother she left the same penny u ar talking about everything is compleet with the letter from buckinham palace til the cd look a like case
i think it belonged to my great grand father the number that stands next to the back leg from the lion was number 74 and the initials are eoc i see u guys knw more of this than i do so maybe you can tell me more about it what the letters mean the name on the plaque is ernest john stockwell
dont know what date he died but i’m sure interested!
thanks ennyways..
greetings from holland!
kyra