Convict Past

150th Anniversary of the end of Convict Transportation

2018 $1 Stamp & Coin PNC

*Please Note: These coins are pre-owned and the cards may show signs of wear*

On 9 January 1868, the arrival of the convict ship Hougoumont in Fremantle marked the end of penal transportation to Australia, which had begun with the arrival of the First Fleet in1788. Over eight decades, some 806 ships had transported around 165,000 convicts to their fate in the Australian colonies. This stamp issuecommemorates the 150th anniversary of convict transportation.

Hyde Park Barracks is shown in the stamp ion this cover. Ironically, this place of confinement was designed by one of Australia's notable early convicts, Francis Greenway, who was sentenced for the crime of forgery. Convict labour became not only a tool for discipline and reform but also for colonial advancement; where convicts had specialist skills, these were exploited. Greenway designed several civic buildings in Sydney and was appointed the first official government architect in New South Wales.

The stamp is postmarked for the first day of issue. The back of the envelope features Australia Post's Seal of Authenticity.